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23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

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CIHM/ICMH 

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/ 

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32X 


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originaux  sont  filmte  en  commenpant  par  la 
premidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 

Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparaTtra  sur  la 
dernidre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symbols  —^  signifie  "A  SUIVRE",  le 
symbols  V  signifie  "FIN". 

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filmds  d  des  taux  de  reduction  diffdrents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  dtre 
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BATTLE    OP    LAKE    ERIE. 


TJSHER  PARSONS'  DISCOURSE, 


DBLIVEBBD  BBFOBB  THB 


RHODE-ISLAND  HISTORICAL  SOCIETY, 


JBonios,  Jiebniai])  10, 18SS. 


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BATTLE   OF   LAKE    ERIE, 


DISCOURSE, 


PELIVERED  BEFORE  THE 


BHODE-ISLAND  HISTORICAL  SOCIETY, 


ON   THE  EVEXINO  OP 


iUonbaij,  Scbrmrti  Ifi,  1852. 


BY    USHER   PARSONS, 


PUBLISHED  AT  THE  REQUEST  OF  THE  SOCIETY. 


PROVIDENCE: 

BENJAMIN  T.  ALBRO,  PRINTER. 

1853. 


DISCOURSE. 


The  Rhode  Island  Historical  Society  having  requested  me  to 
prepare  a  discourse  for  this  their  anniversary  public  meeting,  I 
have  chosen  for  my  subject  a  history  of  the  Battle  of  Lake  Erie, 

I  have  made  this  choice,  first  because  this  battle  is  a  part  of 
Hhode-Island  History,  and  therefore  appropriate  to  the  occasion ; 
secondly,  because  I  could  speak  of  it  from  personal  knowledge  ; 
and  thirdly,  because  a  very  inaccurate  and  pen-^erted  account  of 
it  has  been  written  and  imposed  upon  the  public  by  the  late  J- 
Fenimore  Cooper,  Esquire.  I  am  aware  that  this  gentleman's 
mistakes  and  misrepresentations  should  have  been  noticed  and 
corrected  before  his  decease,  and  my  apology  for  the  delay  is, 
that  I  never  saw  the  pamphlet  containing  them,  nor  knew  of  its 
existence,  imtil  within  a  few  days  past,  and  after  commencing 
this  discourse. 

My  aim  will  be  to  give  an  account  of  the  origin  of  the  fleet 
or  squadron  on  the  lake;  of  its  conflict  with  the  British  squad- 
ron, of  the  consequences,  immediate  and  remote,  and  in  conc^i- 
sion  notice  some  of  Mr.  Cooper's  erroneous  positions  and  false 
inferences. 

At  the  commencement  of  the  war  of  1812,  Government  un- 
dertook the  conquest  of  Upper  Canada.  General  Hull  was  at 
the  head  of  an  army  at  Detroit,  and  General  Van  Rensselaer  of 
another  on  the  Niagara  river.  The  former  was  captured,  and 
the  latter  defeated.  At  this  time  the  British  held  possession  of 
Lake  Erie,  with  five  armed  vessels,  and  had  captured  the  Adams, 
the  only  armed  vessel  we  owned  upon  the  Lake.  Their  ves- 
sels, carrying  sailors  and  Indians,  could  at  any  moment  strike  a 
fatal  blow  upon  any  defenceless  settlements  on  the  South  side  of 


the  lake,  and  while  the  miUtia  were  gathering  to  opposed  them 
they  could  pounce  upon  another  and  another.  The  surrender 
of  Hull  exposed  the  territory  at  the  head  of  the  lake  to  incur- 
sions by  land,  and  an  attempt  to  oppose  them  resulted  in  the 
capture  of  General  Winchester's  army.  These  three  fruitless 
and  disastrous  expeditions  taught  the  necessity  of  creating  a  fleet 
on  Lake  Erie,  that  should  command  it,  and  co-operate  with  Gen- 
eral Harrison,  who  then  commanded  the  North" Western  army. 
Accordingly  in  the  winter  of  1812 — 13,  the  keels  of  five  vessels 
were  laid  at  Erie  ;  at  the  same  time  four  or  five  merchant- 
schooners,  being  all  that  were  then  owned  by  us  on  the  lake, 
were  purchased  and  armed  with  two  or  three  guns  each. 

There  are  good  reasons,  I  may  here  remark,  for  considering 
the  operations  on  Lake  Erie  as  part  of  Rhode-Island  history. 
At  the  commencement  of  the  war,  there  was  a  flotilla  of  gun- 
boats stationed  at  Newport  for  the  protection  of  Narragansett 
Bay,  which  was  commanded  by  Oliver  H.  Perry,  a  native  of  this 
State,  then  27  years  of  age.  The  interruption  of  commerce  by 
the  war  had  thrown  many  ca])tains,  mates  and  seamen  out  of 
employ,  who  entered  the  public  service  in  this  flotilla.  The  ser- 
vice here  being  inactive.  Perry  volunteered  for  the  lakes,  and 
was  ordered  to  superintend  the  out-fitting  of  the  fleet  at  Lake 
Erie.  He  took  with  him  many  of  the  officers  and  seamen  from 
Newport,  and  arrived  at  Erie  in  March,  1813.  This  accounts 
for  there  being  so  many  Rhode-Islanders  in  the  expedition. 
Four  of  the  nine  commanders.  Perry,  Turner,  Champlin  and 
Almy  were  from  this  State,  also  a  majority  of  the  sailing-masters 
and  mates,  and  several  other  officers,  with  a  large  number  of 
sailors.  Besides  this.  Commodore  Perry,  Lieutenant  Turner, 
late  a  post-captain,  sailing-master  Taylor,  now  a  post-captain  in 
Newport,  superintended  the  rigging  and  equipping  and  arming 
of  the  fleet.  There  has  never  been  an  expedition  set  on  foot  in 
this  country,  where  so  large  a  portion  of  the  officers  hailed  from 
one  State,  or  accomplished  so  much  work  as  was  done  by  Rhode 
Islanders  on  Lake  Erie. 

In  May  1813,  Perry  left  Erie  in  a  four-oared  boat  for  Buffalo, 
where  he  arrived  in  twenty-four  hours,  the  distance  being  100 
miles.     From  thence  he  proceeded  to  Lake  Ontario,  and  there 


rendered  important  services  to  Oommodor'^  Channcy  in  tlie  cafH 
tiire  of  Port  George.  On  his  way  tli«ne,  lie  stopjKjd  at  Black 
Rock,  near  Bnllhio,  to  hasten  the  arming  and  ontlitting  of  tlic 
five  merchant  schooners,  and  on  his  way  hack  to  Erie  he  took 
with  him  from  Chauncy's  fleet  a  few  men,  and  borrowed  two 
com[)anies  of  iolantiy  from  the  army,  Avith  which  he  manned 
the  vessels  and  sailed  to  Erie.  It  was  a  Hercnlean  labor  to  drag 
these  vessels  by  land  n|)  the  ra[)i(ls  at  Hlack  Hock  into  the  Lake, 
and  rcqnired  nearly  a  week  with  two  hnndrcd  men,  who  warped 
them  with  ropes  over  their  shoulders.  Soon  after  getting  safely 
into  the  Lake  off  Buffalo,  we  sailed  for  Erie.  On  the  day  fol- 
lowing, Captain  Perry  was  taken  down  with  fever.  On  the 
next  succeeding  day,  a  small  boat  with  two  men  appeared  nnder 
the  lake-shore,  rowhig  toward  our  vessels.  They  brought  ns 
intelligence  from  Erie  that  the  enemy  had  just  appeared  therc^ 
and  Avas  probably  in  pursuit  of  us.  Perry  immediately  took  the 
deck,  and  gave  orders  to  the  other  vessels  to  prepare  for  action, 
and  to  board  the  enemy  should  he  come  near  us.  Fortunately 
we  were  not  discovered,  and  on  the  evening  of  the  next  day  our 
little  squadron  entered  Erie  in  safety. 

No  one  who  hears  me  can  form  any  idea  of  the  diiFiculties 
encountered  in  obtaining  cordage,  canvas,  cannon,  powder  and 
balls,  and  all  other  outfits,  which  were  to  be  brought  to  Erie 
mostly  from  the  seaboard,  a  distance  of  four  or  five  hundred 
miles,  over  bad  roads.  Notwithstanding  under  the  direction  of 
the  Rhode  Island  officers,  the  work  progressed  rapidly  and  suc- 
cessfully. A  regiment  of  Pennsylvania  militia  was  tented  on  a 
ground  near  the  shore  where  our  fleet  lay  ;  and  whenever  the 
enemy  looked  in  itpon  us,  at  the  harbor  of  Erie,  which  they  did 
every  few  days,  this  regiment  of  militia  paraded,  and  made  a 
formidable  appearance  upon  the  high  bank  of  the  lake,  as  a  re- 
pelling force,  but  in  reality,  had  the  enemy  approached  to  de- 
stroy our  fleet,  could  have  done  little  to  prevent  it.  They  how- 
ever served  as  a  sort  of  scare-crow,  to  frighten  him  away. 

The  enemy,  on  learning  that  a  fleet  was  preparing  to  gain  pos- 
session of  the  lake,  had  early  in  the  spring  laid  the  keel  of  a 
ship  larger  than  had  ever  floated  upon  the  lake,  which  added  to 
their  other  vessels,  made  their  fleet  to  consist  of  the  following 


6 


force  :  Detroit,  (now  ship)  ninctooii  ginis,  Queen  Cliurlotte,  sev- 
enteen guns,  Lady  Provost,  thirteen  guns,  Hunter,  ten  guns, 
Little  Belt,  three,  nnd  the  (Jhippewa,  one  ;  total,  sixty -thnio  guns. 
The  American  force  consisted  of  the  following  ;  Lawrence  and 
Niagara,  precisely  alike,  twenty  guns  each;  Ariel,  four.  Scorpion, 
two.  Porcupine,  one,  Tigris,  one,  Caledonia,  throe,  Boniers,  two, 
Trip]),  one ;  total,  fifty-four  guns. 

The  Fleet  was  manned  by  sailors  partly  from  Newport,  and 
partly  from  Lake  Ontario.  The  two  larger  vessels,  Lawrence 
and  Niagara,  were  built  and  rigged  precisely  alike,  and  carried 
132  officers  and  men  each.  By  the  lOtli  of  July,  the  guns  wore 
mounted  on  board  all  the  vessels,  and  the  men  were  exercised 
at  them  several  times  a  day. 

On  Sunday  the  18th  of  July,  two  respectable  missionaries 
who  were  passing  through  Erie,  were  invited  by  the  Commo- 
dore on  board  one  of  the  large  ships,  where  as  many  oflTicers 
and  men  as  could  be  spared  from  all  the  vessels  were  assembled 
to  hear  prayers  that  \Vero  offered  up  for  the  success  of  the  ex- 
pedition. 1  shall  never  forget  their  fervent  pleadings  in  our 
behalf,  that  we  might  subdue  the  hostile  fleet,  and  thereby  wrest 
from  savage  hands  the  tomahawk  and  scalping-knife,  that  had 
been  so  cruelly  wielded  against  the  defenceless  settlers  on  the 
frontiers,  and  that  in  the  event  of  a  victory,  mercy  and  kindness 
might  be  shown  to  the  vanquished. 

The  bar  of  Erie  had  thus  far  served  as  a  fortification  to  pre- 
vent the  enemy  from  entering  the  harbor  where  our  fleet  was 
preparing,  but  it  now  presented  a  serious  obstacle  to  our  egress. 
The  two  large  brigs  drew  three  feet  of  water  more  than  there 
was  on  the  bar.  On  Sunday  evening,  the  1st  of  August,  the 
work  began  of  clearing  the  Lawrence  of  cannon  and  balls,  to 
lighten  her ;  and  immense  scows  called  camels  were  placed  un- 
der her  sides,  and  being  sunk  to  the  water's  edge,  timbers  were 
passed  through  from  side  to  side  of  the  ship,  the  ends  of  which 
were  blocked  up,  resting  on  these  floating  foundations.  Plugs 
were  now  put  into  the  scows,  and  the  water  bailed  out,  and  as 
they  rose  they  lifted  the  ship  two  feet,  and  this  not  being  enough, 
the  ballast  and  other  heavy  articles  were  taken  out,  till  she  was 
Vaised  another  foot,  when  she  was  able  to  pass  over  the  bar. — ■ 


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The  Niagara  was  served  in  like  maimer,  hut  the  smaller  vessels 
had  pn;vi<)iisly  passed  over  without  the  aid  of  canuils.  Hefore 
the  large  vessels  were  fairly  over,  the  enemy  hove  in  siglit,  and 
fired  a  few  balls  which  did  not  reach  us.  The  Pennsylvania 
regiment  j)aratled,  and  the  small  vessels  that  were  out  returned 
the  enemy's  fire.  Had  they  come  near  enough  to  do  execution 
while  we  were  struggling  over  the  bar,  they  might  have  des- 
troyed our  fleet  with  little  difficulty. 

On  the  6th  of  August  we  sailed,  with  the  fleet  not  more  than 
half  officered  and  manned,  across  the  lake,  wishing  to  encounter 
the  enemy  before  the  large  new  ship  joined  his  squadron,  but 
they  had  sailed  for  Maiden,  and  we  returned  to  Erie  the  next 
day,  where  we  found  Ca})tain  Elliot  just  arrived  from  Lake 
Ontario,  with  nearly  100  officers  and  men.  A  new  arrangement 
was  now  made  of  officers  throughout  the  fleet,  and  we  soon 
sailed  up  the  lake  in  pursuit  of  the  enemy,  and  anchored  on  the 
15th  in  Put-in-bay,  in  a  cluster  of  islands  near  the  head  of  the 
lake.  On  the  17th  we  sailed  to  the  mouth  of  Sandusky  bay, 
and  on  anchoring  fired  three  guns,  waited  ten  minutes  and  fired 
three  more.  This  was  a  signal  previously  agreed  upon  by  let- 
ters that  passed  between  Perry  and  Harrison.  In  the  evening. 
Colonel  Gaines  with  a  number  of  officers  and  Indians  arrived  on 
board,  and  reported  General  Harrison  to  be  twenty-seven  miles 
distant,  with  an  army  of  8000  militia,  regulars  and  Indians. — 
Oiu"  boats  were  sent  to  bring  the  General  and  his  suite  on  board, 
where  they  arrived  on  the  19th,  late  in  a  rainy  evening.  The 
General  brought  his  two  aids.  Colonel  McArthur,  afterwards 
Governor  of  Ohio,  and  Colonel  Cass,  now  Senator  in  Congress, 
with  many  of  his  principal  officers,  two  hundred  soldiers  and 
fifty  Indians,  including  the  chiefs  of  several  nations.  They  re- 
mained on  board  with  us  two  days,  to  settle  the  plans  of  their 
future  operations.  The  General  learned  that  our  crews  were 
weakened  by  sickness,  and  on  returning  to  the  army  sent  us 
some  thirty  or  forty  volunteers  to  serve  with  our  sailors.  Our 
crews  became  still  more  unhealthy,  the  Commodore  and  half  of 
the  officers  were  on  the  sick  list  with  lake-fever.  The  two 
senior  medical  officers  were  confined  to  their  berths,  and  the 
junior  one  was  so  reduced  by  the  disease,  that  in  visiting  the 


8 


sick  on  board  the  different  vessels,  he  was  unable  to  climb  up 
the  ship's  sides,  and  he  was  hoisted  in  and  out  like  a  barrel  of 
flour  or  cask  of  water. 

We  now  looked  into  the  harbor  of  Maiden,  by  way  of  return- 
ing the  civilities  the  enemy  had  shown  us  at  Erie.  This  kind 
of  polij|$  attention  was  repeated  two  or  thrf  3  times,  until  the 
evening  of  the  9th  of  September,  when  we  anchored  in  Put-in- 
bay.  On  the  following  morning  at  sumise,  there  was  a  cry 
from  the  mast-head,  sail  oh !  all  hands  sprang  from  their  berths, 
and  ere  we  could  dress  and  reach  the  decks  the  cry  was  repeated 
again  and  again,  until  six  sail  were  thus  announced.  Signal 
was  made  to  the  fleet,  "Enemy  in  sight!  get  under  way ! "  and 
the  hoarse-Voice  and  shrill  pipe  of  the  boatswain  resounded 
through  all  the  ships,  all  hands  up  anchor! 

The  wind  at  this  time  was  from  the  Southwest,  light  and  baf- 
fling, Avhich  prevented  our  weathering  the  island  in  our  way, 
and  it  continued  so  until  ten  o'clock,  when  it  veered  to  the 
Southeast,  which  enabled  us  to  clear  the  island,  and  stand  out 
upon  the  lake.  We  now  discovered  the  English  squadron,  five 
or  six  miles  to  the  leeward,  hove  to  in  a  line,  and  equidistant 
about  half  a  cable's  length.  The  vessels  were  freshly  painted, 
and  with  the  morning  sun  shining  upon  their  broadsides,  and 
their  red  ensigns  gently  unfolding  to  the  breeze,  they  made  u 
very  gallant  appearance.  Our  squadron  bore  down  to  engage 
them,  with  the  wind  on  our  larboard  quarter.  They  were  ar- 
ranged with  the  Chippewa,  of  one  long  eighteen  pounder  on  a 
pivot  ahead  ;  the  Detroit  of  nineteen  guns,  bearing  the  broad 
pendant  of  the  Commodore,  next ;  the  Hunter  of  ten  guns,  the 
third ;  the  Q,ueen  Charlotte  of  seventeen  guns,  fourth  ;  the 
Lady  Prevost  of  thirteen  guns,  fifth,  and  the  Little  Belt  of  three 
guns,  sixth.  Captain  Perry  immediately  arranged  his  line  of 
battle,  with  his  own  ship  to  fight  the  Detroit,  broad  pendant 
against  broad  pendant,  Commodore  against  Commodore.  Two 
gun-boats,  the  Ai'iel  and  Scorpion,  ranged  ahead  on  our  larboard 
bow,  a  little  out  of  a  straight  line.  The  Caledonia,  of  three 
long  twenty-^four  pounders,  came  next,  after  the  Lawrence,  to 
encounter  the  Hunter ;  the  Niagara  next,  to  fight  the  Glueen 
Charlotte  ,  and  the  Somers,  Porcupine,  Tigris  and  Tripp,  to  en- 


J 


w 
D 


0  climb  up 
a  barrel  of 

of  return - 
This  kind 
i,  until  the 

in  Put-in- 
was  a  cry 
leir  berths, 
as  repeated 
sd.  Signal 
way!"  and 

resounded 

;ht  and  baf- 
n  our  way, 
3red  to  the 
.d  stand  out 
ladron,  five 

equidistant 
lily  painted, 
idsides,  and 
hey  made  a 
n  to  engage 
ley  were  ar- 
ounder  on  a 
y  the  broad 
m  guns,  the 
fourth  ;  the 
Jelt  of  three 

his  line  of 
3ad  pendant 
dore.  Two 
our  larboard 
nia,  of  three 
^awrence,  to 
;  the  Clueen 
Fripp,  to  en- 


I 


counter  the  Lady  Prevost  and  Little  Belt.  Thus  arranged,  our 
fleet  moved  on  to  attack  the  enemy,  distant  at  ten  o'clock  about 
four  or  five  miles.  The  Commodore  next  produced  the  burgee, 
or  fighting  flag,  hitherto  concealed  in  the  ship.  It  was  inscribed 
with  large  white  letters  on  a  blue  ground,  that  could  be  read 
throughout  the  fleet,  '•  Don't  give  up  the  Ship,"  the  last 
words  of  the  expiring  Lawrence,  and  now  to  be  hoisted  at  the 
mast-head  of  the  flag-ship  bearing  his  name.  A  spirited  appeal 
was  made  to  the  crew  assembled  upon  the  quarter-deck,  who 
returned  three  hearty  cheers  that  were  repeated  aiong  the  whole 
line  of  our  vessels,  and  up  went  the  flag  to  the  top  of  the  fore- 
royal.  The  Commodore  brought  me  a  package  of  papers, 
having  a  piece  of  lead  attached  to  them,  and  gave  orders  in  the 
event  of  his  falling,  to  throw  the  papers  overboard ;  they  were 
instructions  from  Government,  and  letters  from  Mrs.  Peny. — 
The  grog  ration  being  served  out,  drums  and  fifes  struck  up  the 
thrilling  air,  "all  hands,  all  hands,  all  hands  to  quarters,"  calling 
all  to  their  respective  stations.  The  Commodore  was  on  the 
quarter  deck  with  two  young  officers,  Thomas  Breese  and  his 
own  brother,  Alexander  Perry,  whose  duty  it  was  to  run  with 
his  orders  to  every  part  of  the  ship,  for  in  the  din  and  uproar  of 
battle  no  officer  can  be  heard  ten  feet  off".  The  hatches  were 
now  closed  excepting  a  small  aperture  ten  inches  square,  through 
which  powder-cartridges  were  to  be  passed  up  from  the  maga- 
zine by  boys  nimble  of  foot  during  the  battle,  and  through 
which  light  was  admitted  into  the  surgeon's  room,  where  the 
wounded  were  to  be  brought.  The  floor  of  this  apartment  was 
on  a  level  with  the  surface  of  the  water  outside,  and  consequent- 
ly the  wounded  were  as  much  exposed  to  the  enemy's  cannon 
balls  as  if  they  were  on  deck.  Six  men  were  directed  to  bring 
the  wounded  below,  and  to  assist  the  surgeon  in  moving  them. 
Every  preparation  being  made,  and  every  man  at  his  post,  a 
profound  silence  reigned  for  more  than  one  hour,  the  most  try- 
ing part  of  the  whole  scene.  It  was  like  the  stillness  of  the  at- 
mosphere that  precedes  the  hurricane,  while  the  fleet  moved  on 
steadily  till  a  quarter  before  meridian,  when  the  awful  suspense 
was  relieved  by  a  cannon-shot  aimed  at  us  from  the  flag-ship 
Detroit,  one  mile  distant.      It  was  like  an  electric  shock,  and 


-m 


10 


was  soon  followed  by  another.  The  two  gun-boats  ahead  of 
us  now  fired  one  or  two  long  guns.  At  this  time  the  Ariel, 
Scorpion,  Lawrence,  Caledonia  and  Niagara  were  all  in  their  re- 
spective stations  in  the  order  they  are  named,  distant  from  each 
other  about  half  a  cable's  length.  The  other  vessels  not  sailing 
quite  so  well  were  a  little  out  of  their  stations  astern.  At  ten 
minutes  before  twelve,  fire  was  opened  from  all  the  long  guns  of 
the  enemy.  At  five  minutes  before  meridian,  the  LaAvrence 
beginning  to  suffer,  returned  the  fire  from  her  long  bow  gun,  a 
twelve  pounder,  when  the  two  gun-boats  ahead  were  ordered  by 
trumpet,  to  commence  the  action,  and  the  Caledonia  and  Niaga- 
ra astern,  opened  their  fire  with  their  long  guns.  The  stern- 
most  vessels  soon  after  opened  also,  but  at  too  great  a  distance 
to  do  much  injury.  Perry  finding  himself  not  sufficiently  near 
to  do  execution  with  his  caiTonades,  made  all  sail  again,  and  or- 
dered the  word  to  be  passed  by  trumpet  to  the  vessels  astern. 
The  order  was  responded  to  and  transmitted  along  the  line  by 
Captain  Elliot  of  the  Niagara,  Avhose  vessel  was  stationed  next 
but  one  astern  of  the  Lawrence.  But  the  Niagara  did  not  make 
sail  with  the  Lawrence,  and  accompany  her  down  into  close  ac- 
tion as  ordered,  but  continued  her  long  shot  with  two  bow  guns, 
(having  shifted  the  left  one  over  to  the  starboard  side.)  Perry 
pressed  on,  and  supposing  himself  near  enough,  fired  his  forward 
carronades,  but  finding  they  did  not  tell,  he  pressed  on  still  near- 
er, suffering  terribly,  and  getting  near  enough  for  execution  he 
opened  a  rapid  and  most  destructive  fire  upon  the  Detroit.  The 
Scorpion  and  Ariel  ahead  were  not  deemed  worthy  of  the  ene- 
my's aim,  yet  those  small  vessels  having  heavy  cannon  fought 
nobly  and  with  great  effect.  The  Caledonia  astern  followed 
the  Lawrence  into  close  action  against  her  antagonist  the  Hunt- 
er. But  the  Niagara,  which,  when  the  battle  began  was  within 
hail  of  the  Lawrence,  did  not  follow  her  down  toward  the  en- 
emy's line,so  as  to  encounter  her  antagonist  the  Queen  Charlotte. 
The  Niagara,  I  say,  did  not  make  sail  when  the  Lawrence 
did,  but  hung  back  for  two  hours,  when  she  should  have 
followed  the  example  of  the  Lawrence,  and  grappled  with  the 
dueen  Charlotte  at  the  same  time  that  vessel  did  the  Detroit. 
The  Queen  was  expecting  it,  but   as  her  antagonist  did  not 


11 


ats  ahead  of 
le  the  Ariel, 
1  in  their  re- 
it  from  each 
!s  not  saih'ng 
3rn.  At  ten 
long  guns  of 
e  Lawrence 
bow  gun,  a 
B  ordered  by 
I  and  Niaga- 

The  stern- 
It  a  distance 
ciently  near 
fain,  and  or- 
ssels  astern, 
the  line  by 
itioned  next 
id  not  make 
ito  close  ac- 
)  bow  guns, 
de. )     Perry 
his  forward 
n  still  near- 
xecution  he 
troit.    The 
of  the  ene- 
non  fought 
n  followed 

the  Hunt- 
was  within 
ard  the  en- 
1  Charlotte. 

Lawrence 

ould  have 
d  with  the 
he  Detroit, 
st  did  not 


como  up,  she  shot  ahead  to  fire  upon  the  Lawrence,  and  in 
so  doing  she  passed  the  Hunter,  that  had  been  ahead  between 
her  and  the  Detroit.  After  a  lapse  of  two  hours  Elliot  filled  his 
sails  and  came  up,  the  Caledonia  moved  on  towards  the  Hunter, 
which  had  now  dropped  astern  and  to  the  leeward  of  the  dueen. 
Elliot  in  order  to  approach  the  Q,ueen  must  pass  the  Caledonia, 
which  he  did  to  the  windward  or  outside  of  her,  and  was  ap- 
proaching the  Lawrence,  which  however  was  crippled  and  was 
dropping  astern  a  perfect  wreck.  Elliot  then,  instead  of  passing 
directly  down  to  engage  the  Gtueen,  luffed  to  the  windward  to 
go  round  and  outside  of  the  Lawrence,  and  while  abreast  of  her 
larboard  beam,  and  nearly  half  a  mile  distant,  Perry  left  the 
Lawrence  for  the  Niagara  in  a  boat,  and  boarded  her  when  she 
had  reached  a  little  ahead  of  the  Lawrence  on  her  larboard  bow. 
The  Lawrence  now  hauled  down  her  flag  and  ceased  firing. 
Perry  sent  Elliot  to  the  small  vessels  astern  to  bring  them  up, 
and  turning  his  ship's  head  eight  points  towards  the  enemy's 
line,  making  a  right  angle  in  her  course,  he  went  within  pistol- 
shot  of  the  Detroit's  bow,  and  took  a  raking  position.  The  De- 
troit in  attempting  to  wear  to  bring  her  broadside  to  her,  fell  on 
board  the  Q,ueen  (Jliarlotte,  and  gave  Perry  a  chance  to  rake 
both  ships,  which  he  did  so  eftectually  that  in  five  minutes  they 
hauled  down  their  colors.  Perry  now  shot  further  ahead  near 
the  Lady  Prevost,  which  from  being  crippled  in  her  rudder,  had 
drifted  out  of  her  place  to  the  leeward,  and  was  pressing  forward 
toward  the  head  of  the  line  to  support  the  two  ships.  Perry 
gave  her  a  broad-side  which  silenced  her  battery.  The  Hunter 
next  struck,  and  the  two  smaller  vessels  attempted  to  escape,  but 
were  overhauled  by  the  Scorpion  and  Tripp,  and  thus  ended  the 
action  at  near  four  o'clock,  P.  M. 

Let  us  now  advert  for  a  moment  to  the  scenes  exhibited  in 
the  flag-ship  Lawrence.  The  wounded  began  to  come  down 
before  the  l^awrence  opened  her  battery,  and  for  one  I  felt  im- 
patient at  the  delay.  In  proj)er  time  however  as  it  proved,  the 
dogs  of  war  were  let  loose  from  their  leash,  and  it  seemed  as 
though  heaven  and  earth  were  at  logger-heads.  For  more  than 
two  long  hours,  little  could  be  heard  but  the  deafening  thunders 
of  our  own  broad-sides,  the  crash  of  balls  dashing  through  our 


12 


ti 


II 


i 


timbers,  and  the  shrieks  of  the  wounded.  These  were  brought 
down  faster  than  I  could  attend  to  them,  farther  than  to  stay  the 
bleeding,  or  support  the  shattered  limbs  with  splints,  and  pass 
them  forward  upon  the  berth  deck.  Two  or  three  were  killed 
near  me,  after  being  wounded.  I  well  remember  the  complaints 
that  the  Niagara  did  not  come  up.  "  Why  does  she  hang  back 
so,  out  of  the  battle  ?  "  Among  those  early  brought  down  was 
Lieutenant  Brooks,  son  of  the  late  Governor  Brooks,  of  Massa- 
chusetts, a  most  accomplished  gentleman  and  officer ;  and  re- 
nowned for  personal  beauty.  A  cannon-ball  had  struck  him 
in  the  hip,  he  knew  his  doom,  and  inquired  how  long  he  should 
live  ;  I  told  him  a  few  hours.  He  inquired  two  or  three  times 
how  the  day  was  going,  and  expressed  a  hope  that  the  Commo- 
dore would  be  spared.  But  new-comers  from  deck  brought 
more  and  more  dismal  reports,  until  finally  it  was  announced 
that  we  had  struck.  In  the  lamentations  of  despair  among  the 
wounded,  I  lost  sight  of  poor  Brooks  for  a  few  minutes,  but 
when  the  electrifying  cry  was  heard  that  the  enemy's  two  ships 
had  struck,  I  rushed  on  deck  to  see  if  it  were  true,  and  then  to 
poor  Brooks  to  cheer  him,  but  he  was  no  more, — he  was  too 
much  exhausted  by  his  wounds  to  survive  the  confusion  that 
preceded  this  happy  transition. 

When  the  battle  had  raged  an  hour  and  a  half,  I  heard  a  call 
for  me  at  the  small  sky-light,  and  stepping  toward  it  I  saw  it 
was  the  Commodore,  whose  countenance  was  as  calm  and  pla- 
cid as  if  on  ordinary  duty.  "  Doctor,"  said  he,  "  send  me  one 
of  your  men,"  meaning  one  of  the  six  that  were  to  assist  me, 
which  was  done  instantly.  In  five  minutes  the  call  was  repeat- 
ed and  obeyed,  and  at  the  seventh  call  I  told  him  he  had  them 
all.  He  asked  if  any  could  pull  a  rope,  when  two  or  three  of 
the  wounded  crawled  upon  deck  to  lend  a  feeble  hand  in  pulling 
at  the  last  guns. 

When  the  battle  was  raging  most  severely.  Midshipman  Lamb 
came  down  with  his  arm  badly  fractured ;  I  applied  a  splint  and 
requested  him  to  go  forward  and  lie  down  ;  as  he  was  leaving 
me,  and  while  my  hand  was  on  him,  a  cannon-ball  struck  him 
in  the  side,  and  dashed  him  against  the  other  side  of  the  room, 
which  instantly  terminated  his  sufferings.      Charles  Pohig,  a 


13 


were  brought 
lan  to  stay  the 
ints,  and  pass 
e  were  killed 
ho  complaints 
fie  hang  back 
fht  down  was 
ks,  of  Massa- 
ficer ;  and  re- 
l  struck  him 
>ng  he  should 
)r  three  times 

the  Commo- 
leck  brought 
is  announced 
ir  among  the 
minutes,  but 
fs  two  ships 
,  and  then  to 
—he  was  too 
)nfusion  that 

heard  a  call 
it  I  saw  it 
ilm  and  pla- 
iend  me  one 

0  assist  me, 
was  repeat- 
le  had  them 

or  three  of 

1  in  pulling 

)man  Lamb 
I  splint  and 
vras  leaving 
struck  him 
the  room, 
s  Pohig,  a 


Narragansett  Indian,  who  was  badly  wounded,  suffered  in  like 
manner.  , 

There  were  other  incidents  that  were  less  painful  to  witness. 
The  Commodore's  dog  had  secreted  himself  in  the  bottom  of 
the  closet  containing  all  our  crockery.  A  cannon-ball  passed 
through  the  closet,  and  smashed  crockery  and  door,  covering  the 
floor  with  fragments.  The  dog  set  up  a  barking  protest  against 
the  right  of  such  an  invasion  of  his  chosen  retirement. 

Lieutenant  Yarnel  had  his  scalp  badly  torn,  and  came  below 
with  the  blood  streaming  over  his  face ;  some  lint  was  hastily 
applied  and  confined  with  a  large  bandanna,  with  directions  to 
report  himself  for  better  dressing  after  the  battle,  and  he  insisted 
on  returning  to  the  deck.  The  cannon-balls  had  knocked  to 
pieces  the  hammocks  stowed  away  on  deck,  and  let  loose  theu' 
contents,  which  were  reed  or  flag  tops,  that  floated  in  the  air 
like  feathers  and  gave  the  appearance  of  a  snow-storm.  These 
lighted  upon  Yarnel's  head  covered  with  blood,  and  on  coming 
below  with  another  injury,  his  bloody  face  covered  with  the  cat 
tails  made  his  head  resemble  that  of  a  huge  owl.  Some  of  the 
wounded  roared  out  with  laughter  that  the  devil  had  come  for  us. 

The  hard  fighting  terminated  about  three  o'clock.  As  the 
smoke  cleared  away  the  two  fleets  were  found  completely  min- 
gled, the  small  vessels  astern  having  come  up  to  the  others. — 
The  shattered  Lawrence  lying  to  the  windward  was  once  more 
able  to  hoist  her  flag,  which  was  cheered  by  a  few  feeble  voices 
on  board,  making  a  melancholy  sound  compared  with  the  bois- 
terous cheers  that  preceded  the  battle. 

The  proud  though  painful  duty  of  taking  possession  of  the 
conquered  ships  was  now  performed.  The  Detroit  was  nearly 
dismantled,  and  the  destruction  and  carnage  had  been  dreadful. 
Tlie  Q,ueen  Avas  in  a  condition  little  better.  The  whole  num- 
ber killed  in  the  British  fleet  was  forty-one,  and  of  wounded 
ninety-four.  Every  commander  and  second  in  command,  says 
Barclay  in  his  ofiicial  report,  was  either  killed  or  wounded.  In 
our  fleet  were  twenty-seven  killed,  and  nhiety-six  wounded  ;  of 
the  twenty-seven  killed,  twenty-two  were  on  board  ihe  Law- 
rence, and  of  the  ninety-six  wounded,  sixty-one  were  on  board 
this  same  ship,  making  eighty-three  killed  and  wounded  out  of 


14 


',  s 


i     H 


one  hundred  and  one  reported  fit  for  duty  in  tlie  Lawrence  on 
the  morning  of  the  battle..  On  board  the  Niagara  were  two 
killed  and  twenty-three  wounded,  making  twenty-five  ;  and  out 
of  these  twenty-five,  twenty-two  were  killed  or  wounded  after 
Perry  took  command  of  her. 

After  four  o'clock,  a  boat  was  discovered  approaching  the 
Lawrence.  Soon  the  Commodore  was  recognized  in  her,  who 
was  returning  to  resume  the  command  of  his  tattered  ship,  de- 
termined that  the  remnant  of  her  crew  should  have  the  satisfac- 
tion of  witnessing  the  formal  surrender  of  the  British  officers. 
It  was  a  time  of  conflicting  emotions  when  he  stepped  upon 
deck  ;  the  battle  was  won  and  he  was  safe,  but  the  deck  was 
slippery  with  blood,  and  strewn  with  the  bodies  of  twenty  offi- 
cers and  men,  some  of  whom  had  set  at  table  with  us  at  our 
last  meal,  and  the  ship  resounded  everywhere  with  the  groans 
of  the  wounded.  Those  of  us  who  were  spared  and  able  to 
walk,  met  him  at  the  gangway  to  welcome  him  on  board,  but 
the  salutation  was  a  silent  one  on  both  sides  ;  not  a  word  could 
find  utterance. 

And  now  the  British  officers  arrived,  one  from  each  vessel,  to 
tender  their  submission  and  with  it  their  swords.  "When  they 
had  approached,  picking  their  way  among  the  wreck  and  car- 
nage of  the  deck,  they  held  their  sAvords  with  the  hilts  towards 
Perry,  and  tendered  them  to  his  acceptance.  With  a  dignified 
and  solemn  air,  the  most  remote  possible  from  any  betrayal  of 
exultation,  and  in  a  low  tone  of  voice,  he  requested  them  to  re- 
tain their  side-arms,  inquired  with  deep  concern  for  Commodore 
Barclay  and  the  wounded  officers,  tendering  to  them  every  com- 
fort his  ship  afforded,"  and  expressing  his  regret  that  he  had  not 
a  spare  medical  officer  to  send  them,  adding  that  he  had  only 
one  on  duty  for  the  fleet,  who  had  his  hands  full. 

Among  the  ninety-six  wounded  there  occurred  three  deaths ; 
a  result  so  favorable  was  attributable  to  the  plentiful  supply  of 
provisions  brought  off  from  the  Ohio  shore,  to  fresh  air,  the 
wounded  being  ranged  under  an  awning  on  the  deck  until  we 
arrived  at  Erie  ten  days  after  the  action,  and  also  to  the  devoted 
attention  of  Commodore  Perry  to  every  want. 

Those  who  were  killed  in  the  battle  were  committed  to  the 


•eiice  oil 
ere  two 
and  out 
led  after 

iiig  the 

ler,  who 

ihip,  de- 

satisfac- 

officers. 

ed  upon 

3ck  was 

nty  offi- 

is  at  our 

groans 

able  to 

tard,  but 

:d  could 

essel,  to 
leii  they 
md  car- 
towards 
iignified 
trayal  of 
m  to  re- 
imodore 
!ry  corn- 
had  not 
ad  only 

deaths  ; 
Lipply  of 

air,  the 
until  we 
devoted 

d  to  the 


I 


15 

deep  at  night-fall,  the  Episcopal  service  being  read  over  them. 
On  the  following  morning,  the  two  fleets  sailed  into  Put-in-bay, 
where  the  slain  officers  were  buried  on  shore.  The  scene  was 
a  solemn  one.  Equal  respect  was  paid  to  the  slain  of  the  two 
fleets.  Minute-guns  were  fired  from  the  fleet,  a  martial  band 
preceded  performing  a  funeral  dirge,  and  the  corpses  were 
ranged  in  alternate  order  of  American  and  British,  and  the  pro- 
cession followed  in  like  order  to  the  graves,  where  the  funeral 
service  was  read.  A  striking  contrast  this  to  the  scene  presented 
two  days  before,  when  both  the  living  and  the  dead  now  form- 
ing this  solemn  and  fraternal  train  were  engaged  in  fierce  and 
bloody  strife,  hurling  at  each  other  the  thunder-bolts  of  war. — 
When  will  Christian  nations  learn  to  act  like  consistent  Chris- 
tians ? 

On  the  8th  day  after  the  action,  the  Lawrence  was  despatched 
to  Erie  with  the  Avounded,  where  we  received  a  cordial  welcome 
and  kind  hospitality.  The  remainder  of  the  fleet  conveyed  Har- 
rison's army  to  Maiden,  and  some  of  the  vessels  ascended  the 
Detroit  river.  Harrison  found  the  army  of  General  Proctor  had 
gone,  after  burning  the  public  stores,  and  had  retreated  toward 
the  Thames.  Perry  joined  Harrison  as  a  volunteer  aid,  and  our 
troops  pursued,  overtook  and  captured  the  army,  the  only  army 
that  Avas  captured  during  the  war.  Proctor  escaped,  his  com- 
panion Tecumseh,  there  is  every  reason  to  believe  was  killed, 
since  a  dozen  persons  claim  the  honor  of  firing  the  fatal  ball. 
Perry  then  accompanied  Harrison  and  Commodore  Barclay  to 
Erie,  where  they  landed  amid  peals  of  cannon  and  the  shouts  of 
the  multitude.  Perry  thence  returned  to  Newport,  receiving  on 
his  way  the  acclamations  of  a  grateful  people  in  every  city  and 
village  through  which  he  passed. 

In  reviewing  the  incidents  of  the  battle,  we  must  admit  that 
in  several  particulars  the  enemy  had  hard  luck,  which  contributed 
to  their  defeat  and  capture.  The  wind  turned  in  our  favor 
before  the  action  began.  The  Commanders  of  their  two  vessels 
were  killed  or  severely  wounded  early  ;  the  rudder  of  the  Lady 
Prevost  was  disabled,  which  caused  her  to  drift  out  of  the  line  ; 
and  worse  than  this,  the  running  of  the  Q,ueen  against  the  De- 
troit, which  prevented  her  wearing,  and  exposed  both  ships  to  a 


i 


16 


raking  fire  from  the  thirty-two  pound  carronades  of  the  Niagara, 
a  fresh  ship,  and  in  prime  order, — all  lielped  to  turn  tlie  day  in 
our  favor.  To  tliis  it  should  ho  added  that  the  enemy  were 
just  out  of  port,  and  had  not  heen  training  their  guns  daily  for 
weeks,  as  our  men  had  done,  which  enabled  them  to  load  and 
fire  with  astonishing  frequency. 

Immediately  after  the  battle,  the  Commodore  despatched  to 
General  Harrison  the  following  note  :  "  Dear  General,  We  have 
met  the  enemy  and  they  are  ours,  two  ships,  two  brigs,  one  sloop 
and  one  sc?iooner,"  adding  in  a  postscript,  send  us  some  soldiers 
to  help  take  care  of  the  prisoners,  who  are  more  numerous  than 
ourselves.  At  the  same  time  he  announced  the  victory  to  the 
Secretary  of  the  Navy  in  the  following  words.  ''  It  has  pleased 
the  Almighty  to  give  to  the  arms  of  the  United  States  a  signal 
victory  over  their  enemies  on  this  lake.  The  British  squadron, 
consisting  of  two  ships,  two  brigs,  one  sloop  and  one  schooner, 
have  this  moment  surrendered  to  the  force  under  my  command 
after  a  sharp  conflict." 

And  now  followed  the  more  difficult  task  of  making  out  a  de- 
tailed report,  in  which  Perry  must  speak  of  the  conduct  of  the 
principal  deck-officers  of  the  fleet ;  a  task  that  was  quite  as  per- 
plexing to  him  as  the  fighting  of  the  battle  had  been. 

The  officers  of  the  small  vessels  came  on  board  the  Lawrence 
on  the  second  evening  from  the  battle,  and  all  of  them,  without 
exception,  expressed  but  one  opinion  of  the  conduct  of  Elliot,  in 
keeping  out  of  the  battle,  that  he  held  back  more  than  two 
hours  from  engaging  his  antagonist  the  Q,ueen,  that  when  the 
liawrence  was  much  crippled  and  began  to  drop  astern,  the  Ni- 
agara then  came  up  abreast  of  her,  not  between  her  and  the  ene- 
my, but  far  away  outside,  much  farther  from  the  Lawrence  than 
the  Lawrence  was  from  the  enemy,  that  Perry  at  this  moment 
having  fought  his  own  ship  to  the  last,  entered  a  boat  with  five 
men,  and  rowed  to  the  Niagara,  and  by  the  time  he  reached  her 
she  was  on  the  larboard  bow  of  the  Lawrence,  from  a  third  to 
half  a  mile  distant.  That  he  immediately  despatched  Captain 
Elliot  to  the  stern  vessels,  and  turned  the  Niagara's  head  to- 
ward the  enemy,  so  as  to  make  nearly  a  right  angle  with  the 
course  she  had  been  steering,  and  crossing  the  line  the  Lawrence 


17 


!  Niagara, 
lie  day  in 
jmy  were 
daily  for 
»  load  and 

latched  to 

We  have 

,  one  sloop 

le  soldiers 

srous  than 

ory  to  the 

las  pleased 

es  a  signal 

sc[iiadron, 

schooner, 

command 


out  a  de- 
lict of  the 
lite  as  per- 


^awrence 
1,  without 
f  Elliot,  in 

than  two 

when  the 
rn,  the  Ni- 
id  the  ene- 
rence  than 
is  moment 

with  five 
Bached  her 

a  third  to 
ed  Captain 

s  head  to- 
3  with  the 

Lawrence 


was  steering,  about  sixty  yards  ahead  of  her,  came  within  pistol- 
shot  of  the  enemy '-^^  Jlag-ship  Detroit.  These  facts  every  officer 
agreed  to,  and  the  log-book  of  the  Lawrence,  written  up  on  the 
evening  of  the  battle,  and  which  is  the  best  official  document 
that  could  be  furnished,  states  them  in  about  so  many  words. 

Nor  did  any  one  suppose  that  Elliot  or  any  of  his  officers 
would  take  any  ground  contrary  to  these  facts.  But  Elliot  per- 
ceived their  bearing,  and,  to  save  himself,  began  to  pay  court  to 
Perry.  He  took  to  his  bed  and  sent  for  Dr.  Parsons  to  visit 
him  on  the  second  day  after  the  battle,  who  could  discover  no 
positive  disease  upon  him.  He  spoke  disparagingly  of  his  Sur- 
geon, remarking  that  he  was  sick,  ftnd  if  well  was  good  for  noth- 
ing, and  requested  Dr.  Parsons  to  attend  his  wounded,  who  re- 
plied that  Dr.  Barton  was  a  good  Surgeon,  and  in  a  few  days 
would  be  able  to  return  to  duty.  The  wounded  were  however 
all  removed  on  board  the  Lawrence,  now  made  a  general  hospi- 
tal ship,  to  be  sent  to  Erie.  Elliot  also  sent  for  Perry  while 
thus  confined  to  his  bed,  when  he  expressed  to  him  his  regret 
that  he  had  not  entered  earlier  into  the  action,  extolled  Perry's 
conduct  and  offered  some  lame  excuse  for  his  own ;  and  this 
insinuating  course  induced  Commodore?  Perry,  under  the  gen- 
erous impulses  of  his  nature,  to  try  to  save  him.  Perry  knew 
that  the  officers  of  all  the  vessels  of  the  fleet,  except  the  Niaga- 
ra, had  expressed  their  opinion  against  Elliot ;  and  fearing  that 
their  letters  to  their  friends  might  ruin  him,  he  sent  two  confi- 
dential persons,  Messrs.  Hambleton  and  Turner,  to  all  the  fleet, 
to  say  that  he.  Perry,  though  not  satisfied  with  Elliot's  con- 
duct, wished  to  save  him,  and  requested  that  they  would  be  si- 
lent respecting  the  fact  of  his  keeping  out  of  battle  for  more 
than  two  hours,  adding  that  there  was  honor  enough  gained  for 
the  fleet  to  enable  it  to  save  Elliot.  They  all  but  one  com- 
plied with  this  request,  but  some  of  the  volunteers  from  the  ar- 
my were  not  applied  to,  and  some  of  their  letters,  with  one  from 
Yarnel  escaped,  in  which  Elliot's  conduct  was  condemned. 

Of  course  when  Perry's  official  report  appeared  in  print,  the 
officers  of  the  Lawrence  were  dissatisfied  at  his  saying  so  much 
in  favor  of  Elliot.  They  had  expected  that  he  would  not 
speak  of  him  at  all.     But  Perry  had  resolved  to  save  him  from 


18 


■■I 


public  censure,  and  therefore  says  iii  his  report,  "  at  hail-past 
two,  the  wind  springing  up,  Captain  Klliot  was  enabled  to  bring 
his  vessel  gallantly  into  close  action.  I  immediately  went  on 
board  of  her,  when  he  anticipated  my  wishes  by  volunteering 
to  bring  up  the  schooners  into  close  action."     {See  Appendix.) 

Beside  this  desire  to  save  Elliot,  Perry  was  unwilling  that  the 
enemy  should  know  that  the  second  in  command  in  our  squad- 
ron had  failed  in  his  duty.  In  expressing  his  doubts  to  Mr. 
Hambleton,  his  confidential  friend,  at  the  time  of  drawing  up 
the  report,  he  quoted  with  approbation  the  declaration  of  an 
English  admiral.  "  It  is  better  to  screen  a  coward,  than  to  let 
the  enemy  know  there  is  one  in  the  fleet-" 

Perry  before  signing  his  official  report,  allowed  Elliot  to  see 
what  he  had  written,  with  which  he  expressed  himself  as  satis- 
fied. But  the  stubborn  fact  there  stated,  that  "  at  half-past  two 
the  wind  sprhiging  up  enabled  him  to  bring  his  ship  gallantly 
into  action,"  coupled  with  the  inquiry  which  he  foresaw  the 
public  would  naturally  make,  why  he  did  not  advance  to  his 
station  when  the  Lawrence  pushed  forward  into  hers,  both  ships 
being  in  all  respects  alike,  and  having  the  same  wind, —  this 
stared  him  in  the  face.  He  applied  to  Perry  to  vary  that  state- 
ment in  some  way,  so  as  to  screen  him.  He  also  immediately 
and  secretly  drew  certificates  from  his  own  officers,  showmg  that 
he  had  done  his  duty,  which  as  they  belonged  to  the  ship  whose 
reputation  seemed  to  involve  their  own,  under  the  moulding  in- 
fluence which  a  commander  always  has  over  his  officers,  they 
were  prevailed  upon  to  sign.  This  was  an  advantage  which 
Perry  did  not  avail  himself  of ;  for  very  soon  after  the  battle  he 
left  the  fleet  for  home,  unconscious  that  Elliot  was  busily  at 
work  in  obtaining  certificates  from  his  officers.  When  the  cer- 
tificates of  the  Lawrence's  officers  were  obtained  some  years 
after,  not  one  of  them  was  under  Perry's  command. 

At  the  same  time  that  Elliot  was  obtaining  these  certificates 
he  was  making  artful  appeals  to  Perry  for  stronger  expressions 
of  praise  upon  his  conduct.  On  the  18th  of  September,  he  said 
in  a  note  to  Perry,  that  his  reputation  was  suffering  in  the  neigh- 
borhood of  his  family,  and  requested  a  written  statement  from 
him  as  to  his  conduct  in  the  battle.     Perry,  not  knowing  the 


lall-past 
to  bring 
i^ciit  oil 
iteering 
)endix\  ) 
hat  the 
squad- 
to  Mr. 
nag  up 
1  of  an 
ui  to  let 

)t  to  see 
as  satis- 
)ast  two 
;allantly 
saw  the 
e  to  his 
th  ships 
I, —  this 
at  state- 
ediately 
iiig  that 
J  Avhose 
iiiig  iii- 
rs,  they 
5  which 
attle  he 
usily  at 
the  cer- 
e  years 

dficates 
•essions 
he  said 
neigh- 
it  from 
ng  the 


19 

insidious  course  that  Klliot  was  pursuing  toward  him,  wrote  a 
very  favorable  letter,  supposing  he  wished  to  send  it  to  his  fam- 
ily; doubtless  he  was  irritated  by  the  thought  tiiat  his  wish  to 
save  Elliot  had  been  frustrated.  He  expressed  himself  as  behig 
dissatisfied  and  vexed  at  being  tiiwarted  in  liis  determined  pur- 
pose, and  in  this  state  of  mind,  and  moved  by  the  pathetic 
appeal  of  Elliot  he  wrote  him  the  following  letter. 

"Sept.  19,  1813. 
«<  Deau  Sib, 

I  received  your  note  Inst  evening  after  I  had  turned  in,  or  I  Hhould 
have  answered  it  immccliately.  I  am  indignant  that  any  report  should  bo  in  cir- 
culation prejudicial  to  your  character,  as  respects  the  action  of  tlic  10th  instant. 
It  affords  me  pleasure  that  I  have  it  in  my  power  to  assure  you,  that  tho  con- 
duct of  yourscU',  olHcers,  and  crew  was  such  ns  to  meet  my  warmest  approbation. 
And  I  consider  the  circumstance  of  your  volunteering  and  bringing  tlic  smaller 
vessels  into  closer  action,  as  contribiiting  largely  to  our  victorj-.  I  shall  ever  be- 
lieve it  a  premeditated  plan  of  tho  enemy  to  disable  our  commanding  vessel,  by 
bringing  all  their  force  to  boar  upon  her ;  and  I  am  satisfied,  had  they  not  pur- 
sued their  course,  tho  engagement  would  not  have  lasted  tliirty  minutes.  I  have 
no  doubt,  if  the  Charlotte  had  not  made  sail  and  engaged  the  Lawrence,  the  Ni- 
agara would  have  taken  her  in  twenty  minutes. 

llcspectfuUy,  &c. 

O.  H.  PERKY." 

This  may  be  regarded  as  a  rope  thrown  to  a  drowning  man, 
but  which  instead  of  saving  Elliot  enabled  him  to  ])ull  Perry 
overboard. 

In  a  letter  to  his  friend  Hambleton,  a  few  months  after,  Avhen 
he  heard  of  Elliot's  intrigues,  Perry  says,  "  I  was  sensible  on 
reflection,  I  had  already  said  too  much  in  my  official  report." — 
"  Subsequently  I  became  involved  in  his  snares  ;  and  on  his 
writing  me  a  note  of  which  he  has  published  only  a  part,  I  was 
silly  enough  to  write  him  in  reply  the  foolish  letter  of  the  19th 
of  September,  because  I  thought  it  necessary  to  persevere  in 
endeavoring  to  save  him."  "  This  undoubtedly  reflects  on  my 
head,  but  not  on  my  heart.  I  was  willing  enough  to  share  with 
him  and  others  tl -  fame  I  had  acquired."  Again  he  says,  "  It 
was  a  matter  of  great  doubt  when  I  reflected  upon  Elliot's  con- 
duct, to  what  to  attribute  his  keeping  so  long  out  of  action." — 
"  I  did  not  then  know  enough  of  human  nature  to  believe  that 
any  one  could  be  so  base  as  to  be  guilty  of  the  motive  which 
some  ascribed  to  him,  namely,  a  determination  to  sacrifice  me 
by  keeping  his  vessel  out  of  the  conflict." 


20 


liCartiiiii?  tliiit  I'illiot  jviisistod  in  liis  intrigues,  ainiitig  to  olc- 
vnt(!  hinisf'lf  Jit  tlm  expense  of  his  ('(Mnnmiulor  wlio  liad  (ui(1(miv- 
orod  to  save  liini,  Vcvry  sjioktt  of  liirn  ns  oiio  who  would  find  it 
for  his  interest  to  say  less  ahont  Lake  Mrio,  as  ho  would  injure 
himself"  by  bringing  hel'ore  tin;  public  eye  a  (Htreront  and  truer  iv\y- 
rcsontation  of  his  conduct  than  had  hitherto  been  given.  Some 
of  liis  remarks  of  this  nature  reached  Klliot's  ear,  upon  which  he 
sent  Perry  a  cliallengo  Avith  an  insulting  note,  who  responded 
that  he  would  be  entitled  to  a  meeting  when  he  had  cleared 
himself  from  the  charges  about  to  be  forwarded  to  the  Secretary 
of  the  Navy.  Accompanying  the  charges  was  a  letter  from  Per- 
ry, explanatory  of  }iis  wh(^le  course  of  action  towards  Captain 
Elliot  from  and  after  the  battle,  a  few  extracts  from  which  are 
inserted.  He  says,  "At  the  moment  of  writing  my  Official  Re- 
port I  did  in  my  own  mind  avoid  coming  to  any  conclusion  to 
wliat  cause  the  conduct  of  Captain  Elliot  was  to  be  imputed  : 
Nor  was  I  then  fully  acquainted  with  all  the  circumstances  re- 
lating to  it."  *  *  "I  was,  after  the  engagement  commenced, 
necessarily  too  much  engaged  in  the  actual  scene  before  me,  to 
reflect  deliberately  upon  the  cause  which  could  induce  Captain 
Elliot  to  keep  his  vessel  so  distant  both  from  me  and  the  enemy. 
And,  after  the  battle  was  won,  I  felt  no  disposition  rigidly  to 
examine  into  the  conduct  of  any  of  the  officers  of  the  fleet ; 
and,  strange  as  the  behavior  of  Captain  Elliot  had  been,  yet  I 
could  not  allow  myself  to  come  to  a  decided  opinion." 

"  The  subsequent  conduct  also  of  Captain  Elliot ;  the  readi- 
ness with  which  he  undertook  the  most  minute  services ;  the 
unfortunate  situation  in  which  he  now  stood,  which  he  lamented 
to  me,  and  his  marked  endeavors  to  conciliate  protection,  were 
calculated  to  have  their  eftect.  But,  still  more  than  all,  I  was 
actuated  by  a  strong  desire  that,  in  the  fleet  I  then  had  the  hon- 
or to  command,  there  should  be  nothing  but  harmony  after  the 
victory  had  been  gained,  and  that  nothing  should  transpire  which 
would  bring  reproach  upon  any  part  of  it,  or  convert  into  crimi- 
nation the  praises  to  which  it  was  entitled,  and  which  I  wished 
all  to  share  and  enjoy.  The  difficulties  produced  in  my  mind 
by  these  considerations  were,  at  the  time,  fully  expressed  to  an 
officer  of  the  fleet,  in  whom  I  had  great  confidence.     If  I  omit- 


\ 


lint;  to  olo- 
iul  ciidcnv- 
>iil(l  find  it 

>lll(l   illjlU'O 

J  tnirr  ri!|)- 
sn.     Some 
i  which  he 
responded 
ad  cleared 
Secretary 
from  Per- 
Js  Captain 
which  are 
iHcial  Re- 
elusion  to 
imputed : 
itances  re- 
tnmenced, 
)re  me,  to 
e  Captain 
e  enemy, 
rigidly  to 
the  fleet; 
en,  yet  I 

he  readi- 
ices ;  the 
amented 
on,  were 
ill,  I  was 
the  hon- 
after  the 
re  which 
to  crimi- 
[  wished 
iiy  mind 
ed  to  an 
'  I  omit- 


21 

«d  to  name  Captain  Elliot,  or  named  him  without  credit,  1  might 
not  only  ruin  that  otlicer,  hut  at  the  same  time  give  occjisioii  to 
animadversions  which,  at  that  jx-riod,  I  thought  would  hc^  little 
to  th(;  honor  or  advantage  of  the  service.  If  my  Otlicial  Report 
of  that  transaction  is  reverted  to,  these  fmbarnissments  with  re- 
sjKict  to  (captain  Elliot,  luider  which  I  labored  m  drawing  it, 
will,  1  believe,  be  appnuit.  That  j' port  wii.s  very  diir('r<'nt 
from  what  had  been  exjxK'ted  by  the  otlicers  of  the  fleet  ;  but, 
having  adopted  the  course  which  I  thought  most  prudent  to  pur- 
sue with  regard  to  Captain  Elliot,  I  entreated  them  to  acipiicsce 
in  it,  and  made  every  exertion  in  my  power  to  prevent  any  fur- 
ther remarks  on  his  conduct,  and  even  furnished  him  with  a  fa- 
vorable letter  or  certificate  for  the  same  purpose,  of  which  he 
has  since  made  a  very  unjustifiable  use."  These  extracts  are 
inserted  out  of  their  place,  in  order  to  show  what  Perry's 
opinion  of  him  was  during  the  five  years  after  he  left  Lake  Firie. 

Perry's  life  was  saved  amid  the  carnage  of  his  own  ship,  and 
he  was  enabled  to  come  off  victorious  in  the  fresh  ship  which 
Elliot  had  reserved  from  danger,  in  order  that  he  might  pluck 
the  laurels  with  his  own  hand.  The  conduct  of  Elliot,  although 
it  doomed  the  Lawrence  to  a  dreadful  slaughter  and  prolonged 
the  conflict,  was  not  after  all  an  unmixed  evil  in  its  con- 
sequences. The  Niagara  was  in  perfect  order  for  Perry  when 
he  boarded  her,  and  in  much  better  condition  than  she  could 
have  been  had  she  engaged  her  antagonist  early  in  the  fight. 

There  is  probably  not  to  be  found  in  the  history  of  naval  war- 
fare an  instance  where  the  heroism  of  one  man  has  shone  with 
such  transcendent  lustre  over  all  others,  as  that  of  Perry  in  the 
battle  of  Lake  Erie.  After  fighting  his  own  ship  till  eighty- 
three  were  killed  or  wounded  out  of  one  hundred  and  one,  he 
goes  to  a  fresh  ship  of  the  same  size  having  only  three  men  in- 
jured, and  takes  her  intr;  the  thickest  of  the  fight,  and  in  seven 
minutes  adds  twepry-two  to  the  list,  making  one  hundred  and 
five  killed  and  wounded  on  the  decks  on  which  he  stood,  while 
the  whole  number  injured  on  the  deck  where  Elliot  stood  was 
but  three.  Then  as  one  hundred  and  five  is  to  three,  so  was 
the  danger  to  which  Perry  was  exposed,  compared  with  Elliot's 
exposure. 


22 


On  the  other  hand,  thore  is  no  other  mstance  on  record  where 
the  second  in  command  has  done  so  little  to  secure  a  victory. — 
Elliot  arrived  on  the  lake  after  the  labor  of  building,  arming, 
rigging,  and  equipping  the  fleet,  a  most  difficult  and  perplexing 
task,  had  lieen  performed  by  Perry,  Turner  and  Taylor  of  Rhode- 
Island.  He  sails  at  once  in  a  ship  of  the  same  size  and  model 
and  armament,  as  the  flag-ship.  Instead  of  engaging  his  antag- 
onist as  ordered,  he  hangs  back,  firing  one  or  two  long  bow 
guns,  which  were  the  only  ones  that  could  reach  his  antagonist ; 
he  hugs  the  wind,  going  far  away  outside  of  the  line, —  he  then 
leaves  her  with  only  three  men  injured,  to  bring  up  the  dull- 
sailing  vessels  in  the  rear,  which  with  the  aid  of  sweeps,  they 
had  nearly  done  of  themselves  before  he  reached  them; — he 
was  probably  about  as  long  a  time  in  rov/ing  to  these  several 
vessels  as  Perry  was  in  reaching  the  Detroit  within  pistol  dis- 
tance ;  —  the  victory  was  gained  in  a  few  minutes  after,  and 
there  was  no  one  injured  in  the  small  vessels  while  he,  Elliot, 
was  on  board  of  them. 

Prejudiced  if  not  hireling  writers,  among  whom  was  the  late 
J.  Penimore  Cooper,  whose  Naval  History  contains  many  mis- 
takes and  mis-statements,  have  endeavored  to  retrieve  Elliot's 
reputation  by  asserting  that  the  friends  of  Perry  were  not  relia- 
ble witnesses  in  the  case.  He  intimates  that  Dr.  Parsons' 
testimony  shows  a  strong  bias  against  Elliot,  because  he  testifies 
some  years  after  the  battle,  that  when  called  on  board  the  Niag- 
ara to  attend  their  wounded  two  days  after  the  action,  (their 
surgeon  being  sick)  he  incpired  at  what  time  in  the  action  they 
were  wounded.  Cooper  wished  to  convey  the  idea  that  the 
Doctor  was  actuated  in  this  inquiry  of  the  wounded  by  a  desire 
to  draw  from  them  evidence  against  Elliot.  Now  it  happens 
that  the  Doctor's  motive  for  making  the  im^uiry  was  altogether 
foreign  from  what  Coojjer  has  falsely  imputed.  He  had  not  the 
most  distant  idea  of  ever  being  called  upon  for  a  written  or  even 
a  verbal  statement  relating  to  the  matter.  His  motive  was  this, 
and  only  this.  Tlio  wounded  of  the  Niagara  had  lain  more 
than  forty  hours  with  their  wounds  undressed,  and  each  one 
was  impatient  and  clamorous  for  first  attendance.  But  as  he 
could  not  dress  all  at  once,  it  was  necessary  to  adopt  some  rule 


I 


23 


record  whero 
a  victory. — 
ding,  arming, 
id  perplexing 
lor  of  Rhode- 
ze  and  model 
ng  his  antag- 
I'^o  long  bow 
s  antagonist  ; 
le, —  he  then 
:  up  the  dull- 
sweeps,  they 
them ;  —  he 
these  several 
in  pistol  dis- 
cs after,  and 
le  he,  Elliot, 

Avas  the  late 
3  many  mis- 
ieve  Elliot's 
jre  not  relia- 
Dr.  Parsons' 
3  he  testifies 
rd  the  Niag- 
ction,  (their 
action  they 
lea  that  the 

by  a  desire 

it  happens 
s  altogether 
had  not  the 
tten  or  even 
^e  was  this, 

lain  more 
i  each  one 

But  as  he 
t  some  rule 


that  should  be  equitable,  and  stop  their  clamor  for  some  hours,' 
and  this  rule  was,  to  take  them  in  the  order  of  succession  in 
which  they  fell ;  and  in  making  the  inquiry  who  were  first 
wounded,  two  reported  themselves  as  wounded  before  Perry 
came  on  board.  Others  would  have  reported  in  like  manner  if 
they  could  have  done  it,  but  it  was  conceded  by  all  that  these 
two  were  entitled  to  first  attendance,  because  they  were  wound- 
ed before  Elliot  left  the  ship,  and  no  others  made  any  such  pre- 
tension. It  was  necessary  to  adopt  the  same  rule  of  succession 
in  the  Lawrence  the  day  previous,  and  he  so  stated  the  fact  in 
a  surgical  account  of  the  battle  published  soon  after  it  took  place, 
and  before  the  controversy  between  Perry  and  Elliot  appeared 
before  the  public.  Was  it  fair  and  honorable  in  Cooper  to  as- 
sign false  motives  for  his  conduct  in  this  matter,  merely  for  the 
purpose  of  bolstering  the  reputation  of  Elliot  ? 

Again,  Cooper  intimates  that  the  testimony  of  several  officers 
in  favor  of  Perry  should  be  received  with  much  caution  ;  that 
Messrs.  Parsons,  Breese,  Taylor,  Champlin  and  Browncll  appear 
to  have  been  natives  of  Rhode-Island,  and  to  have  accompanied 
Perry  when  he  left  the  State,  that  they  were  consequently  par- 
tisan witnesses,  and  not  entitled  to  confidence.  Now  it  happens 
that  Dr.  Parsons  never  saAV  Rhode-Island,  nor  a  Rhode-Island 
citizen  until  he  met  these  gallant  fellows  on  the  Lake,  although 
Cooper  reiterates  the  charge  not  less  than  five  times  in  the' 
pamphlet.  Not  one  of  these  officers  was  ever  requested  by 
Perry  or  any  other  person  to  express  an  opinion  respecting  the* 
battle,  during  the  five  years  next  after  it  occurred,  and  not  even 
then  while  under  his  command  and  influence  ;  whilst  the  certifi- 
cates of  the  officers  of  the  Niagara,  Elliot  hastened  to  obtain 
immediately  after  the  action,  and  when  the  certifiers  were  under 
his  command,  and  subject  to  his  capricious  discipline.  Their 
ship  being  in  bad  odor  with  the  public,  (although  their  own 
good  conduct  had  never  been  questioned, )  it  was  natural  that 
they  should  endeavor  to  place  her  commander's  conduct,  before 
Perry  boarded  her,  in  as  favorable  a  light  as  jiossible.  Elliot 
began  his  intrigues  with  them  by  representing  to  Purser  Ma- 
grath  and  Sailing-master  Webster,  that  but  for  his  own  exertions 
and  intercessions  they  would  not  have  been  mentioned  in  Per* 


24 


ry's  official  report  of  the  action.  Magrath  too  had  about  thi^ 
time  sent  an  insulting  message  to  Perry,  who  had  given  him  an 
order  to  execute  as  Parser,  to  which  he  replied  that  he  was  not 
Commodore  Perry's  lackey.  For  this  disrespect  to  his  command- 
er he  was  arrested,  but  after  making  a  suitable  apology,  he  was 
restored  to  duty. 

You  will  perceive  then  the  origin  of  Magrath's  vhidictive  course 
toward  Perry;  While  smarting  under  the  thought  of  his  arrest, 
and  the  irritation  which  Elliot's  remarks  occasioned,  this  file- 
leader  of  his  certifiers,  wrote  the  letter  extolling  Elliot,  to  the 
Secretary  of  the  Navy, —  a  distorted  version  of  the  battle  pub- 
lished in  the  Erie  Gazette, — his  own  certificate,  and  last  but  not 
least,  the  congratulatory  address  of  the  Niagara's  officers  to 
Elliot.  But  after  a  few-  months'  calm  reflection  Mi*.  Magrath  said 
in  my  hearing  that  he  wished  his  fingers  had  been  cut  off"  before 
he  signed  those  papers  ;  and  Mr.  Brownell  testifies  under  oath 
that  he  wished  his  hand  had  been  cut  off  first.  A  few  months 
later  Magrath  disobeyed  an  order  from  Commodore  Sinclair,  for 
which  he  was  required  to  deliver  up  his  commission  as  purser 
and  to  leave  the  service  ;  tvhicli  he  did,  and  a  few  weeks  after 
he  blew  his  brains  out.  Such  was  the  end  of  the  principal  wit- 
ness and  prime  actor  in  faVor  of  Elliot ;  yet  Mr.  Cooper  extols 
him  without  stint,  as  the  most  reliable  witness  in  the  whole 
controversy. 

In  like  manner,  Lieutenant  Conklin,  the  only  commander  of 
the  small  vessels  from  whom  Elliot's  importunity  drew  a  certifi- 
cate in  his  favor,  expressed  regret  months  afterward  in  my  hear- 
ing, that  he  had  ever  given  it^  stating  that  it  was  obtained  under 
the  plea  that  it  was  to  be  shown  to  Mrs.  Elliot  and  otlier  rela- 
tives only,  who  had  heard  Unfavorable  reports  of  his  conduct. — 
This  gentleman  was  after\Vard&  dismissed  from  the  service  on 
the  charge  of  intemi)erance.  The  other  Commanders  of  the 
small  vessels  expressed  opinions  against  Elliot,  most  of  them  Un- 
der oath.  Thus  you  will  perceive  that  the  testimony  of  the 
Commanders  of  the  small  vessels  was  in  favor  of  Perry  and 
against  Elliot. 

Cooper  represents  Dr.  Parsons  several  times  as  a  partisan  wit- 
ness.    "Two  accounts"  he  says  "of  the  loss  of  the  Niagara 


i  i 


about  thisf 
ven  him  an 
he  was  not 
'  command-' 
gy,  he  was 

:tive  course 
his  arrest^ 
3,  this  file- 
hot,  to  the 
>attle  pub- 
ist  but  not 
officers  to 
igrath  said 
off  before 
mder  oath 
V  months 
ficlair,  for 
as  pursef 
Beks  after 
2ipal  Avit- 
er  extols 
le  whole 

lander  of 
a  certifi- 
ny  hear- 
Jd  under 
ler  rela- 
iduct. — 
rvice  on 

of  the 
lem  Un- 

of  the 
fry  and 

an  wit- 
Viagara 


26 

have  been  given ;  that  of  the  official  report  and  that  of  her  own 
Surgeon.  The  former  was  based  on  returns  made  to  Elliot  by 
Dr.  Parsons,  and  that  he  endeavors  to  lessen  the  loss  of  this  brig, 
under  the  influence  he  so  early  manifested,"  (meaning,  in  ques- 
tioning the  wounded  as  to  the  time  they  were  struck.  )* 
i  Mr.  Cooper's  calumny,  of  making  out  a  fraudulent  return  of 

the  number  of  killed  and  wounded  in  the  Niagara  for  the  pur- 
pose of  disparaging  Captain  Elliot  is  easily  disposed  of  by  sim- 
ply stating  the  fact  that  those  returns  were  made  out,  not  by  Dr. 
Parsons,  but  by  Purser  Magrath  of  the  Niagara,  one  of  Elliot's 
officers  and  leading  certifiers,  and  is  still  preserved  in  his  hand 
writing. 

Mr.  Cooper  is  not  satisfied  witli  imputing  to  Dr.  Parsons  the 
base  design  of  trying  to  injure  Captain  Elliot,  when  he  inquired 
of  the  wounded  of  the  Niagara,  the  time  they  were  struck  in 
the  action,  (merely  for  the  purpose  of  settling  their  priority  of 
claims  for  surgical  aid)  which  he  reiterates  over  and  over  ;  nor 
with  asserting,  in  five  different  places  in  his  abusive  pamphlet, 
that  the  Doctor  was  a  native  of  Rhode-Island  and  therefore 
prejudiced  in  favor  of  Perry  and  not  reliable,  (when  he  had 
never  seen  Rhode-Island  ;)  nor  with  charging  him  with  making 
out  a  false  return  of  the  number  of  wounded,  (which  Magrath 
made  out,)  but  he  moreover  adds,  "nor  is  Dr.  Parsons'  affidavit 
uncontradicted  by  even  Perry  himself  He  says  that  the  wound- 
ed from  the  first  of  their  coming  down,  complained  that  the 
Niagara,  commanded  by  Captain  Elliot,  did  not  come  up  to  her 
station,  and  close  with  the  Charlotte  although  he  had  been  or- 
dered by  signal ;  and  this  complaint  was  frequently  repeated  by 
them  until  the  Lawrence  struck,  and  repeated  by  Lieutenants 
Brooks,  Yarnell,  and  Claxton."  Perry  in  his  official  letter  says, 
"  Lieutenant  Yarnel,  first  of  the  Lawrence,  though  several 
times  wounded  refused  to  quit  the  deck."  Here  he  flatly  con- 
tradicts Dr.  Parsons's  affidavit."  Now  the  reader  will  remember 
the  anecdote,  how  Yarnell  came  below  with  bleeding  head, 


*  Dr.  P.  states  in  his  affidavit :  "  The  second  day  after  the  action  I  attended 
the  wounded  of  the  Niagara,  the  surgeon  of  that  vessel  being  sick. ;  and  out  of 
twenty  cases,  not  more  than  one  or  two  said  they  were  wounded  while  Captain 
Elliot  was  on  board  the  ship.  On  board  aU  the  small  vessels  which  Captain  Elli- 
ot brought  up,  the  wounded  did  not  exceed  two  or  three." 


26 

which,  after  returning  to  the  deck,  was  covered  with  cat-tails, 
and  made  him  resemble  an  owl.  Obviously  Captain  Perry's 
meaning  was  that  he  did  )iot  leave  the  deck  permanently  al- 
though repeatedly  wounded.  Can  a  more  contemptible  quibble 
be  conceived  of  than  Cooper  has  here  resorted  to  for  the  purpose 
of  invalidating  testimony  given  under  oath  ?  Was  it  incumbent 
on  Captain  Perry  in  order  to  satisfy  Mr.  Cooper's  taste  to  specify 
that  Yarnell  was  alsent  a  few  moments,  two  or  three  times  from 
the  deck  for  surgical  aid  during  a  bloody  action  which  lasted 
nearly  three  hours  ?  Was  Dr.  Parsons  bound  to  omit  the  anec- 
dote, merely  to  please  Mr.  Cooper,  because  Captain  Perry  had 
thus  expressed  in  general  terms  the  heroic  conduct  of  Yarnell, 
whom  he  left  upon  deck  in  command  of  his  tattered  ship  when 
he  boarded  the  Niagara  ? 

Cooper  ranges  the  witnesses  of  the  Lawrence  and  Niagara  in 
two  columns,  and  exultingly  calls  the  attention  of  the  reader  to 
the  greater  length  of  the  latter  list,  although  he  knew,  and  must 
have  felt  when  he  wrote  it,  that  this  difference  in  the  length  of 
the  two  columns  was  owing  to  the  fact  that  many  officers  of  the 
liawrence  were  killed,  and  none  in  the  Niagara ;  that  Elliot  ob- 
tained their  certificates  immediately  whilst  under  his  command 
and  influence,  and  that  Perry's  officers  were  never  applied  to  for 
years  after,  when  some  were  dead  and  others  scattered,  and  none 
of  them  under  his  command.  Was  it  honorable  and  ingenuous 
in  Cooper  to  wink  out  of  sight  these  palpable  reasons  for  the 
different  length  of  the  two  columns  of  officers,  and  exult  over 
the  Niagara's  list  as  decisive  of  the  controversy  in  Elliot's  favor, 
when  the  disparity  in  numbers  of  survivors  resulted  from  Elliot's 
failing  to  bear  his  part  in  the  action  ? 

But  granting  for  the  sake  of  the  argument,  that  the  officers 
of  the  Lawrence  were  partisan  witnesses; — that  her  doctor 
went  on  board  the  Niagara  and  put  leading  questions  to  the 
wounded,  for  the  purpose  of  disparaging  Captain  Elliott;  —  that 
he  was  a  native  of  Rhode-Island,  and  accompanied  Perry  to  the 
lakes;  — that  he  made  out  a  false  return  of  the  wounded, — all 
which  is  untrue, —  but  granting  it,  and  that  he  is  unworthy  of 
belief,  and  that  the  other  officers  of  the  liawrence  are  equally 
so,  and  admitting  on  the  other  hand  that  the  testimony  of  the 


h  cat-tails, 
ill  Perry's 
inontly  al- 
)le  quibble 
le  purpose 
ncumbent 
to  specify 
imes  from 
lich  lasted 
the  anec- 
Perry  had 
f  Yarnell, 
ihip  when 

Viagara  in 

reader  to 

and  must 

length  of 

ers  of  the 

Elliot  ob- 

command 

lied  to  for 

and  none 

ngcnnous 

lis  for  the 

!xult  over 

5t's  favor, 

n  Elliot's 

le  officers 
er  doctor 
lis  to  the 
t;  —  that 
ry  to  the 
ied,— all 
t^orthy  of 
B  equally 
ly  of  the 


27 

Niagara's  officers  is  equally  unreliable  from  partisan  feeling,  and 
thus  balancing  one  against  the  other  so  as  to  neutralize  both, 
and  how  then  stands  the  evidence  ?  The  commanders  of  the 
other  vessels  of  the  squadron  testify  that  Elliot  did  not  sustain 
his  part  in  the  action,  that  he  held  back  from  engaging  his  an- 
tagonist two  hours.  If  said  in  reply,  and  Cooper  has  said  it, 
that  these  officers  were  partial  to  Perry,  then  refer  the  question 
to  other  arbitrators  who  were  entire  strangers  to  both  Perry  and 
Elliot,  Avho  were  eye-witnesses  of  the  battle,  and  Cooper  was 
not  one, — to  the  British  officers,  who  could  have  felt  no  interest 
on  either  side,  for  no  controversy  had  yet  commenced, — con- 
sider too  that  Barclay  had  the  strongest  possible  motives  to  des- 
cribe the  battle  accurately,  since  the  least  deviation  from  truth 
from  whatever  influence,  must  place  his  honor  and  reputation 
ever  after  at  the  mercy  of  his  officers,  and  then  ask  what  was 
their  decided  opinion  on  this  important  subject.  Commodore 
Barclay  says  in  his  official  report, — 

"About  10  o'clock  the  enemy  had  cleared  the  Islandb, — and  iinmcdiatoly  bore 
up,  under  easj'  sail,  in  a  line  abreast,  each  brig  being  also  sujijiortcd  by  the  small 
vessels.  At  a  quarter  before  12  1  commenced  the  action  by  a  few  long  guns ;  a- 
bout  a  (juarter  past  12,  the  American  Commodore,  also  supported  by  two  schoon- 
ers, came  close  to  action  with  the  Detroit ;  the  other  brig  of  the  enemy,"  (the 
Niagara,)  '» apparently  destined  to  engage  the  Queen  Charlotte,  kept  so  far  to 
Avindward  as  to  render  the  Qiiecn  Charlotte's  carronades  useless,  while  she  was 
with  the  liady  Prevost,  exposed  to  the  destructive  tire  of  the  Caledonia  and  four 
other  schooners  amicd  with  heavy  long  guns."         *        *         * 

<•  The  action  continued  with  great  fury  imtil  half  past  two,  when  I  percei\-ed 
my  opponent  drop  astern,  and  a  boat  passing  from  him  to  the  Niagara,  (which 
vessel  was  at  this  time  pcriectly  fresh; )  the  American  Commodore  seeing  that  as 
yet  the  day  was  against  him,  (liis  vessel  having  struck  soon  after  he  left  her)  and 
also  the  very  defenceless  state  of  the  Detroit,  which  sliip  was  now  a  perfect 
wreck,  principally  from  the  raking  fire  of  the  gun-boats,  and  also  that  the  Queen 
Charlotte  was  in  such  a  situation,  that  I  could  receive  very  little  assistance  from 
her,  and  tlie  Lady  Prevost  being  at  this  time  too  far  to  leeward,  from  her  rudder 
being  injured,  lie"  (that  is,  Perry,)  "made  a  noble,  and  alas  !  too  successful etlbrt 
to  regain  the  day,  for  he  bore  up,  and  supported  by  his  small  vessels,  passed 
Anthin  pistol  shot,  and  took  a  raking  position  on  our  bow;  nor  could  I  prevent  it, 
as  the  unibrtuuate  situation  of  the  t  jueen  prevented  our  wearmg ;  in  attempting 
it  we  fell  on  board  her.  My  gallant  lirst  lieutenant,  Garland,  was  now  mortal- 
ly wounded,  and  myself  so  severely  that  I  was  obhged  to  quit  the  deck.  *  * 
Every  olKcer,  commanding  vessels,  and  their  seconds,  was  cither  killed  or  wound- 
ed." '  *  *  In  conclusion,  he  adds  :  "  Captain  Perry  has  behaved  in  a 
humane  and  most  attentive  nuuincr,  not  only  to  myself  and  oificers,  but  to  all 
the  wounded." 

Barclay  you  perceive  tells  the  whole  story,  hi  all  that  is  ma- 
terial to  this  controversy,  just  as  Perry  told  it  in  his  official  re- 
port, with  the  exception  of  that  part  wherein  Perry  tries  to  save 


28 


Elliot's  reputation ;  for  which  friendly  act  Elliot  never  forgave 
him,  and  Perry  had  reason  never  to  forgive  himself. 

In  addition  to  all  this,  the  officers  of  the  Q,ueen  Charlotte  did, 
in  my  hearing,  and  as  Chaplain  Breese  testifies,  did  in  the  hear- 
ing of  himself  and  others,  when  they  were  asked  why  their  ship 
did  not  engage  her  antagonist  the  Niagara  instead  of  firing  upon 
the  Lawrence,  state  again  and  again  that  the  Niagara  kept  so 
far  astern  and  off  to  the  vindward  that  their  guns  could  not 
reach  her. 

Let  us  glance  then  at  the  prominent  points  in  the  case.  1st, 
Elliot  had  his  station  and  duty  assigned  him,  to  fight  the  Queen 
Charlotte.  Did  he  perform  that  duty  faithfully  ?  Commodore 
Perry  says  no  : — Commodore  Barclay  says  no  : — The  officers  of 
the  Ctueen  say  no : — The  commanders  of  the  small  vessels  say 
no : — The  wounded  of  the  Lawrence,  while  weltering  in  their 
blood  said  no : — But  J.  Fennimore  Cooper,  who  was  not  in  the 
action,  says  yes,  and  from  the  obliquity  that  marks  what  he  has 
written  on  the  subject,  his  mistakes,  mistatements,  and  false  as- 
sumptions, such  a  decision  is  perfectly  in  keeping  with  his  char- 
acter. 2nd  :  If  Elliot  was  in  his  place,  and  performed  his  duty," 
and  shared  in  the  danger,  how  are  we  to  account  for  the  fact 
that  he  had  only  three  men  killed  and  wounded,  when  the  Law- 
rence had  eighty-three,  each  ship  having  one  hundred  and  one 
men  when  the  battle  began  ?  and  how  was  it  that  the  Niagara 
was  a  perfectly  fresh  ship  (as  the  British  Commodore  states)  af- 
ter the  Lawrence  was  a  complete  wreck  ? 

Commodore  Barclay  on  his  return  to  England,  after  officially 
reporting  his  defeat  and  capture,  was  subjected  to  the  customary 
ordeal  of  a  Court  of  Inquiry,  and  was  honorably  acquitted. — 
The  published  report  of  proceedings  stated  that  when  Perry  ap- 
proached the  Niagara  in  a  boat,  "she  was  making  away  "  from 
the  fight,  and  this  was  copied  into  some  American  papers.  A 
Court  of  Inquiry  was  in  session  at  the  time  in  New- York,  on 
some  captains  who  had  lost  American  ships  of  war,  and  Elliot, 
unable  to  withstand  this  English  version  of  the  action,  applied 
to  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy  to  permit  this  Court  to  examine 
the  evidence  of  his  conduct,  in  order  to  decide,  not  whether  he 
held  back  from  his  station  in  the  action,  as  several  affidavits 


29 


5ver  forgave 

harlotte  did, 
in  the  hear- 
ty their  ship 
firing  upon 
ara  kept  so 
s  could  not 

case.     1st, 
;  the  Queen 

'ommodore 
e  ofRcers  of 

vessels  say 
ing  in  their 
i  not  in  the 
irhat  he  has 
nd  false  as- 
h  his  char- 
id  his  duty,' 
for  the  fact 
ti  the  Law- 
3d  and  one 
he  Niagara 
J  states)  af- 

3r  oiRcially 
customary 
cquitted. — 
1  Perry  ap- 
vay  "  from 
papers.  A 
i^-York,  on 
and  Elliot, 
3n,  applied 
0  examine 
/^hether  he 
.  affidavits 


I 


i 


state,  but  whether  he  attempted  to  run  away.  Five  witnesses 
were  summoned  from  the  Niagara,  and  two  from  the  Lawrence. 
They  all  testified  that  he  was  not  rurming  away.  But  the  at- 
tempt he  then  made  to  draw  proofs  from  them  that  he  did  his 
duty  in  the  action,  was  less  successful.  The  two  from  the  Law- 
rence testified  adversely. 

In  the  finding  of  the  Court,  it  was  regretted  that  contradictory 
testimony  was  given,  but  finally  concluded  that  "  the  Niagara 
was  not  running  away  from  her  antagonist  the  Queen,  but  that 
she  ran  away  from  the  Niagara,"  (why  didnH  he  run  after  her  ?) 
"  and  that  Commodore  Perry's  official  report  was  correct."  It  is 
to  be  borne  in  mind  that  none  of  the  commanders  of  the  small 
vessels,  nor  the  Commodore  were  summoned  before  the  Court. 
The  testimony  of  the  two  officers  adverse  to  Elliot  is  disposed 
of  by  Cooper  in  a  summary  manner.  "  Mr.  Forrest "  he  says 
"  was  a  man  of  very  feeble  capacity,  as  was  Mr.  Yarnell,  the 
other  Lieutenant."  Now,  both  were  brave  and  intelligent  ofR- 
cers, and  had  behaved  gallantly  in  other  actions ;  but  being  dead 
when  Cooper  wrote  his  pamphlet,  he  felt  it  safe  to  stultify  them 
in  order  to  prop  the  reputation  of  Elliot. 

There  is  a  singular  perverseness  in  the  course  pursued  by  Mr. 
Cooper,  in  his  assaults  upon  the  memory  and  hard  earned  fame 
of  the  lamented  Perry.  The  few  pages  of  his  naval  history  ap- 
propriated to  this  victory,  contain  many  palpable  errors.  They 
however  exhibit  two  prominent  traits.  1st :  the  mistakes  are 
all  made  to  tell  against  Perry  and  in  favor  of  Elliot ;  secondly, 
that  their  general  aim  is  to  diminish  the  glory  reflected  by 
the  victory  on  American  valor  and  naval  skill,  by  making  our 
fleet  a  vastly  superior  force  to  the  enemy's.  I  have  not  time 
to  exhibit  the  numerous  instances  showing  this  tendency,  but 
you  will  find  some  of  them  stated  in  McKenzie's  Life  of  Perry, 
one  of  the  best  pieces  of  Biography  ever  written  in  this  country. 
But  after  a  lapse  of  years,  when  McKenzie  had  exposed  the  un- 
fairness of  his  naval  history.  Cooper  writes  in  Graham's  Maga- 
zine what  he  calls  a  Life  of  Perry,  in  which  he  aims  his  mis- 
siles at  the  character  of  that  hero,  not  only  in  respect  to  Lake 
Erie  matters,  but  to  the  subsequent  events  of  his  life,  particu- 
larly in  the  Mediterranean,  where  Perry  in  a  moment  of  excite- 


30 


merit,  occasioned  by  what  he  deemed  an  insult  otfered  by  his 
Marine  officer,  Captain  Heath,  gave  him  a  blow  with  liis  fist,  in 
atonement  for  which,  and  because  ho  had  violated  the  rules  of 
the  service,  he  exposed  his  life  to  a  shot  from  Heath  without 
raising  his  own  pistol  in  return.  Cooper  insinuates  that  in  this 
instance  of  giving  a  blow.  Perry  was  intoxicated.  The  insinua- 
tion is  groundless.  I  was  in  the  shi})  at  the  time,  and  knew  all 
the  particulars.  The  act  proceeded  from  a  sudden  burst  of  pas- 
sion under  what  seemed  to  him  a  great  provocation.  Perry,  al- 
though he  habitually  strove  to  control  his  temper,  was  not  al- 
ways successful,  and  it  was  the  only  fault  1  ever  found  in  him. 
But  what  shall  be  said  of  Mr.  Cooper,  who,  because  McKcnzie 
criticised  his  Naval  History  and  exposed  its  unfairness,  sought 
revenge  by  aspersing  the  fame  of  a  deceased  hero,  who  had  never 
injured  him,  and  whose  fame  was  among  the  precious  jewels, 
not  only  of  Rhode-Island  but  of  the  nation,  and  to  throw  his 
arrows  into  the  hearts  of  a  bereaved  family. 

If  you  ask  for  further  probable  motives  that  actuated  Mr.  Coop- 
er in  making  his  attack  upon  the  character  of  Perry,  a  passage 
taken  from  his  strange  pamphlet,  printed  not  long  before  his  de- 
cease, and  distributed  by  Captain  Elliot  among  the  members  of 
Congress,  may  assist  in  the  disentanglement  of  his  motives.  "  He 
has  seen  his  own  work  "  he  says,  (referring  to  his  Naval  History) 
"condemned,  and,  so  far  as  the  public  authorities  were  con- 
cerned, excluded  from  the  district  school  libraries,  and  all  on  ac- 
count of  its  supposed  frauds  hi  relation  to  the  battle  on  Lake 
Erie  ;  while,  on  the  other  hand,  he  has  heard  Captain  McKen- 
zie's  biography  of  Perry  lauded  from  one  end  of  the  Union  to  the 
other,  and  preferred  to  that  place  in  the  libraries  mentioned,  from 
which  his  own  work  has  been  excluded."  This  fact  was  too 
much  for  his  arrogant  spirit  to  bear ;  it  rankled  in  his  bosom 
until  his  spleen  found  vent  in  this  pamphlet. 

I  can  conceive  of  no  other  motive  for  his  conduct,  unless  it 
were  the  promise  of  a  silver  medal  from  Elliot,  which  he  is 
known  to  have  received,  and  which  bore  on  one  side  the  head 
of  Cooper  surrounded  by  these  words,  "  The  personification  of 
Honor ^  Truth  and  Justice." 

Elliot  had  the  impudence  to  send  one  of  these  medals  to  this 


ai 


I 


tiered  by  Ins 
h  his  fist,  in 
the  rules  of 
jath  without 
I  that  in  this 
The  insinua- 
nd  knew  all 
)urst  of  pas- 
Perry,  al- 
was  not  al- 
Ltiid  in  him. 
5  McKonzie 
less,  sought 
:>  had  never 
ous  jewels, 
•  throw  his 

I  Mr.  Coop- 
",  a  passage 
'ore  his  de- 
lembers  of 
ives.  "He 
il  History) 
were  con- 
all  on  ac- 
e  on  Lake 
1  McKen- 
lion  to  the 
lied,  from 
t  was  too 
lis  bosom 

unless  it 
ich  he  is 
the  head 
nation  of 

Is  to  this 


31 

Historical  Society,  which  was  rejected,  and  returned  with  a  pre- 
amble and  resolutions  expressed  in  the  following  words. 

«•  Whereas  we  honor  the  character  and  cherish  the  memory  of  Commodore  Ol- 
iver H.  Perrj',  and  hold  in  hijjh  adniirution,  the  professional  skill,  heroic  valor, 
and  noble  conduct,  shown  by  him  in  the  battle  of  Lake  Erie,  on  the  10th  of  Sep- 
tember, 1813,  by  which  he  achieved  a  victory  glorious  to  the  American  arms,  and 
gained  a  name  which  to  us,  as  citizens  of  his  native  State,  is  a  source  of  honest 
pride ;  and  whereas  in  the  pxiblished  writings  of  J.  Fenimore  Cooper,  Esquire, 
relative  to  that  event,  he  has  Itdjorcd  to  establish  opinions  which  we  can  neither 
adopt  nor  sanction,  and  whereas  justice  reciuires  that  this  body  shall  not  do  or 
participate  in  any  act  which  may  imply  its  actiuiescence  in  the  efforts  which  have 
been  made  in  behalf  of  Commodore  Elliot,  to  establish  for  him  a  reputation  de- 
rogatory to  the  just  fame  of  his  deceased  Commander- 
It  is  therefore  Resolved,  that  the  Society  declines  accepting  the  modal  which 
has  been  presented  in  the  name  of  Commodore  Elliot ;"  and  they  ordered  it  to 
bo  returned  through  the  channel  by  which  it  was  received. 

Fiction  had  employed  so  much  of  Mr.  Cooper's  time  and  at- 
tention, that  he  was  unable  to  state  matters  of  fact  without  draw- 
ing on  his  imagination  in  such  a  way  as  to  distort  them  into  a 
conformity  to  his  })rejudices.  He  early  in  life  exhibited  a  dog- 
ged obstinacy  of  opinion,  that  made  him  appear  absurd  and  para- 
doxical. Contradiction  of  his  opinions,  however  wild,  was  not 
to  be  endured.  Captain  McKenzie  exposed  his  errors  and  mis- 
statements. He  was  responded  to  in  the  vituperative  language 
contained  in  the  abusive  pamphlet  before  noticed.  The  pamph- 
let however  fell  still-born  from  the  press. 

I  never  knew  that  such  a  piece  of  absurdity  was  in  being  un- 
til 1  commenced  this  discourse.  In  the  first  three  pages  I  find 
six  misstatements.  Yet  it  was  for  this  pamhlet  that  Elliot  pre- 
sented the  medal  "^  the  per  sonijier  of  honor,  truth  and  justice," 
and  which  this  society  rejected.  In  return,  Coojier  seeks  re- 
venge by  a  missile  thrown  at  this  society,  inserted  in  the  preface  to 
one  of  the  early  volumes  of  his  last  edition,  and  published  a  few 
months  only  before  his  death. 

It  is  a  curious  fact  that  a\  ith  all  his  assaults  upon  Perry,  not 
a  word  is  said  to  the  disadvantage  of  Elliot,  not  an  allusion  is 
made  to  his  misconduct  in  the  Mediterranean  and  elsewhere. — 
On  the  contrary  he  is  everywhere  lauded  of  as  a  paragon  of  no- 
ble qualities,  as  an  immaculate  hero,  although  at  the  very  time 
Cooper  was  concocting  this  strange  pamphlet,  Elliot  was  under- 
going a  punishment  of  four  years  suspension  without  pay,  under 
sentence  of  a  Court  Martial,  on  charges  proved  against  him,  of  a 


32 

disgraceful  cliaracter :  Yet,  neither  these  nor  any  other  scandal- 
ous acts  of  Tiiliot  are  even  hinted  at  by  ^^  the  personijier  of  honor, 
truth  and  justice. ^^ 

Mr.  Cooper  remarks  that  a  striking  cliarocteristic  of  the  Battle 
of  the  Lake  is  the  bitter  controversy  that  ensued  in  respect  to 
the  conduct  of  the  two  senior  commanders.  And  who,  let  me 
ask,  but  himself  is  chargeable  with  blame  for  it  ?  He  was  not 
a  party  interested.  His  meddling  witli  it  was  gratuitous  and 
uncalled-for.  With  Elliot  the  case  was  different.  The  public 
believed  him  to  have  failed  in  his  duty,  and  to  have  tarnished 
his  character,  and  it  was  natural  for  him  to  plead  not  guilty  be- 
fore the  bar  of  public  opinion,  to  flounce  and  floundor,  and  strive 
to  clear  himself.  But  with  Cooper  the  case  was  different.  He 
seems  to  have  entered  the  controversy  purely  from  love  of  it. — 
He  strives  to  save  Elliot  by  disparaging  Perry,  and  from  his  pen 
has  flown  more  ink  and  bile  than  has  been  shed  by  all  others. 
Much  as  Elliot's  conduct  deserves  censure.  Cooper's  is  more 
reprehensible.  He  enters  the  lists  unnecessajily,  and  purely  from 
love  of  paradox  and  thirst  for  notoriety,  unless  it  were  a  pros- 
pect of  gaining  a  medal. 

I  am  well  aware  that  there  is  little  honor  gained  by  striking 
at  a  dead  man,  and  therefore  wish  that  Mr.  Cooper  we'?  living 
to  hear  me.  But  if  he  while  living  labored  assiduously  to  cre- 
ate in  the  public  mind  false  and  injurious  impressions  against  the 
illustrious  dead,  who  had  never  given  him  provocation ;  if  he 
strove  to  tarnish  the  pure  character  and  fame  of  Commodore 
Perry,  the  rich  but  only  legacy  left  to  a  bereaved  family,  and  to 
rob  this  State  and  the  nation  of  the  glory  gained  for  them  on 
Lake  Erie,  then  it  is  not  only  excusable  but  the  bounden  duty 
of  one  who  was  an  eye-witness  of  the  doings  on  the  Lake,  to 
correct  public  opinion,  by  expunging  from  their  minds  the  asper- 
sions of  a  calumniator,  whether  he  be  dead  or  alive. 

Am  I  accused  of  severity  upon  Mr.  Cooper,  in  the  foregoing 
strictures  ?  Read  his  pamphlet, — his  abuse  of  all  who  testify 
under  oath  concerning  the  relative  conduct  of  the  two  com- 
manders, favorably  to  Perry;— his  vituperative  attacks  upon 
Capt.  M'Kenzie  and  others  who  had  reviewed  the  evidence,  and 
placed  the  whole  controversy  in  a  fair  light,  and  his  impotent 


ii"  ' 


ther  scandal- 
'fier  of  honor, 

)f  the  Battle 

in  respect  to 

who,  let  me 

He  was  not 
ituitous  and 

The  public 
ve  tarnished 
H  guilty  be- 
T,  and  strive 
ferent.  He 
ove  of  it. — 
rom  his  pen 
y  all  others, 
r's  is  more 
piurely  from 
I'ere  a  pros- 

by  striking 
we"?  living 
Lisly  to  cre- 
against  the 
tion ;  if  he 
ommodore 
lily,  and  to 
them  on 
nden  duty 
3  Lake,  to 
the  asper- 

foregoing 
ho  testify 
two  com- 
cks  upon 
lence,  and 
impotent 


,i 


33 


growls  at  this  Society,  for  rejeoting  the  proU'ered  medal  of  him- 
self, and  you  will  decide  ditlerently;  for  not  a  tithe  of  his  oUen- 
sive  misstatements  and  perversions  could  receive  notice  in  the 
brief  hour  allotted  me  on  this  occasion. 

I  know  of  nothing  that  should  incline  me  to  favor  one  Com- 
mander more  than  the  other.  Certainly  there  had  been  no  rea- 
son to  complain  of  ill-treatment  from  either,  ])ersonaUy.  Nor 
was  there  any  professional  jealousy  existing  among  the  medical 
officers  of  the  sfiuadron.  The  other  two  were  ill,  and  under 
treatment,  and  I  liave  never  heard  that  either  of  them  pretended 
to  have  rendered  any  assistance  to  the  wounded  after  the  battle 
closed.  It  was  immaterial  to  me  therefore,  who  fought  valiant- 
ly or  who  failed  in  his  duty,  as  I  was  a  non-combatant.  The 
care  of  ninety-six  wounded  devolved  on  me,  and  the  honor  or 
dishonor  of  performing  my  duty  fnithfuUy  or  otherwise,  was  the 
same  whether  they  were  woiuided  in  the  Lawrence  or  Niagara, 
—  under  Perry  or  under  Elliot. 

A  few  remarks  on  the  character  of  Commodore  Perry  must 
conclude  this  Discourse,  already  too  long.  1  have  alluded  to 
his  being  passionate  under  provocation,  aside  from  which  he  was 
the  most  exemplary  officer  1  ever  knew.  Possessed  of  high- 
toned  moral  feeling,  he  was  above  the  low  dissipation  and  sen- 
suality that  many  officers  of  his  day  were  prone  to  indulge  in. 
His  conversation  was  remarkably  free  from  profanity  and  indeli- 
cacy, and  in  his  domestic  character  he  was  a  model  of  every 
domestic  virtue  and  grace.  His  acquirements  were  respectable. 
On  the  subjects  of  history  and  the  drama  he  was  well  read,  and 
hod  formed  opinions  that  evinced  patient  thought.  He  wrote 
with  remarkable  facility  and  in  good  taste.  Trained  under  the 
experienced  teachings  of  his  father  and  Commodore  Rodgers, 
he  could  not  fail  of  perfection  in  seamanship  and  naval  tlisci- 
plino.  ''  Every  germ  of  merit  in  his  officers  was  sure  to  be 
discovered  and  encouraged  by  him,  and  no  opportunity  was  ever 
lost  of  advancing  tliose  who  performed  their  duty  with  cheer- 
fulness and  fidelity."  He  was  the  most  remai-kable  man  I  ever 
saw  for  success  in  inspiring  his  officers  with  a  reverential  awe 
in  his  presence,  and  with  a  dread  of  giving  him  offence.  Gen- 
erous to  the  full  extent  of  his  means,  his  elegant  hospitality  es- 
s 


u 


pecially  on  sliiji-boarcl  in  foreign  iM)rlH,  rerifcted  i^Meal  honor  on 
our  Navy.  Distinguisned  visitors  ever  found  his  ship  in  most 
perfect  order,  and  left  her  with  exalted  opinions  of  his  graceful 
and  dignified  manners,  and  of  the  strict  discipline  prevailing 
among  his  ofTicers  and  men. 

I  feel  grateful  to  my  audience  for  their  jmtient  attention. — 
Nearly  forty  years  have  rolled  away,  finco  Perry  gained  the 
memorable  victory, — the  first  one  eve  giiitiod  over  a  squadron 
by  this  Country,  and  with  the  lapse  of  time  have  passed  away 
most  of  those  who  were  with  him.  Of  the  nine  commanders 
of  vessels,  only  one  survives ;  and  of  the  fifteen  officers  of  the 
Lawrence,  only  Capt.  Taylor  and  myself  remain.  The  thought 
reminds  me,  as  it  should  do,  that  my  own  summons  cannot  be 
far  distant.  Entertaining  the  opinions  I  honestly  do  of  the  in- 
cidents and  events  of  the  battle,  and  of  the  chief  actors  in  it, — 
opinions  which  were  formed  on  the  spot  at  the  time  ;  and  also 
of  the  controversy  that  long  after  ensued,  I  have  for  years  felt 
it  an  imperative  duty  to  present  those  opinions  to  the  citizens  of 
this  State  on  some  appropriate  occasion.  That  duty,  by  your 
appointment  has  been  performed,  so  far  as  the  brief  time  allotted 
would  jKjrmit,  and  with  it  has  been  offered  a  tribute  of  resj)ect 
due  to  the  character  of  the  illustrious  son  of  Rhode-Island. — 
Ever  may  his  memory  remain  enshrined  in  the  hearts  of  tliu 
people  of  liis  native  state,  and  of  a  grateful  nation! 


real  honor  on 

sliip  ill  most 

f  his  gracolul 

no  j)revailiiig 


attontioii. — 
y  gained  the 
3r  a  sciuadron 
passed  away 
commanders 
fficers  of  the 
The  thought 
ns  cannot  be 
lo  of  the  in- 
ctors  in  it, — 
tio ;  and  also 
for  years  felt 
io  citizens  of 
ity,  by  your 
time  allotted 
e  of  respect 
de-Island. — 
earts  of  the 


APPENDIX. 


AMERICAN    OFFICIAL    ACCOUNT. 


No.    1. 


Copy  of  a  letti/r  from  Commodore  Perry  to  the  Secretary  of  tho  Navy. 

U.  S.  Sciio().m;u  Aiuki.,  1*ut-in-Bay, 
latli  Soptembcr,  IS  13. 

Sin— In  my  Inst  I  informed  you,  tlint  \vc  had  captured  the  enemy's  fleet  on 
this  lake.  I  have  now  the  honor  to  f^ivo  you  tho  most  important  particulars  of 
the  action.  On  the  morning  of  tho  lOtli  inst.  at  nun  rise,  they  were  discovered 
from  Put-in-Bay,  where  I  lay  at  anchor  with  the  n(iuadron  aindor  my  command. 
Wo  got  under  way,  tho  Avind  light  at  S.  W.  and  stood  for  them.  At  10  A.  M. 
tho  wind  hauled  to  S.  E.  and  broiiglit  un  to  windward ;  fonncd  the  Une  and 
brought  up.  At  15  minutes  before  12,  the  enemy  commenced  tiring  ;  at  5  min- 
utes before  12,  the  action  commenced  on  our  part.  Finding  their  tire  very  de- 
Btructivo,  owing  to  their  long  guns,  and  its  being  mostly  directed  to  the  I^aw- 
rence,  I  made  sail,  and  directed  tlie  other  vessels  to  follow,  for  the  purpose  of 
closing  with  tho  enemy.  Every  brace  and  bow  line  being  shot  away,  she  be- 
came unmanageable,  iiotwithstanding  tho  great  exertions  of  the  SaiHng  Master. 
In  this  situation  she  sustained  tho  action  upwards  of  two  hours,  ■within  canister 
shot  distance,  until  every  gun  was  rendered  useless,  and  a  greater  part  of  tho 
crew  cither  killed  or  wounded.  Finding  she  could  no  longer  annoy  the  enemy, 
I  left  her  in  charge  of  Lt.  Yarnell,  who  I  was  convinced,  from  tho  bravery  already 
displayed  by  him,  would  do  what  would  comport  with  the  honor  of  the  flag.  At 
half-past  2,  the  wind  springing  up  Captain  Elliot  icaa  enabled  to  bring  hit  vessel, 
the  Niagara,  gallantly  into  close  oction ;  I  immediately  went  on  board  of  her, 
when  he  anticipated  my  wish  by  volunteering  to  bring  the  schooners,  which  had 
been  kept  astern  by  the  lightness  of  the  wind,  into  close  action.  It  was  with  un- 
speakable pain  that  I  saw,  soon  after  I  got  on  board  the  Niagara,  the  flag  of  tho 
Lawrence  come  down,  although  I  was  perfectly  sensible  that  she  had  been  de- 
fended to  the  last,  and  that  to  have  continued  to  make  a  show  of  resistance  would 
have  been  a  wanton  sacrifice  to  the  remains  of  her  brave  crew.  But  the  enemy 
was  not  able  to  take  possession  of  her,  and  circximstances  soon  permitted  her  flag 
again  to  be  hoisted.  At  45  minutes  past  tAvo,  the  signal  was  made  for  "  close 
fiction."  The  Niagara  being  very  little  injured,  I  determined  to  pass  through  the 
enemy's  line,  bare  up  and  pass  ahead  of  their  two  ships  and  a  brig,  giving  a  raking 


36 


tire  to  them  from  tlio  starboard  guns  and  to  a  large  schooner  and  sloop,  from  the 
larboard  side,  at  half  pistol  shot  distance.  The  smaller  vessels  at  this  time  hav- 
ing got  -within  grape  and  canister  distance,  under  the  direction  of  Capt.'EUiot, 
and  keeping  up  a  well-  directed  fire,  the  two  ships,  a  brig,  and  a  schooner  sun-en- 
dcrcd,  a  sc^hooncr  and  sloop  making  a  vain  attempt  to  escape. 

Those  ofHcers  and  men  who  were  immediately  under  my  observation,  evinced 
the  greatest  gallantry,  and  I  have  no  doubt  that  all  others  conducted  themselves 
as  became  American  officers  and  seamen.  Lieutenant  Yarncl,  first  of  the  Law- 
rence, although  several  times  wounded,  refused  to  quit  the  deck.  Midsliipmun 
Forest,  (doing  duty  as  Lieutenant,)  and  Sailing-Master  Taylor  were  of  great  as- 
sistance to  me.  I  have  great  pain  in  stating  to  you  the  death  of  liieutcnant 
Brooks  of  the  marines,  and  Midshipman  Laub,  both  of  the  Lawrence,  and  Mid- 
shipman John  Clark,  of  the  Scorpion ;  they  were  valuable  officers.  Mr.  Ilam- 
blcto-,1.  Purser,  who  volunteered  his  services  on  deck,  was  severely  wounded  late 
in  the  action.  Midsliipmen  C'iaxton  and  Swartwout,  of  the  Lawrence,  were  se- 
verily  wounded.  On  board  the  Niagara,  Lieutenants  Smith  and  Edwards,  and 
ilidsJiipman  "Webster,  (doing  duty  as  Sailing  Master,)  behaved  in  a  very  hand- 
some manner.  Cai)tain  Brevoort,  of  the  array,  who  acted  as  a  volunteer  in  the 
capacity  of  a  marine  officer  on  board  that  vessel,  is  an  excellent  and  brave  officer, 
and  vrith.  his  musketry,  did  great  execution.  Lieut.  Turner,  commanding  the 
Caledonia,  brought  that  vessel  into  action  in  the  most  able  manner,  and  is  an  of- 
ficer, that  in  all  situations  may  be  relied  upon.  The  Ariel,  Ideut.  Packet,  and 
Scorpion,  Sailing  ^Lister  Champlin,  were  enabled  to  get  early  into  the  action, 
and  Avere  of  great  serAace.  Capt.  Elliot  speaks  in  the  liighest  terms  of  Mr.  Ma- 
grath.  Purser,  who  had  been  despatched  in  a  boat  on  service,  previous  to  my  get- 
ting on  board  the  >siagara  ;  and  being  a  seaman,  since  the  action  has  rendered 
essential  service  in  taking  charge  of  one  of  the  prizes.  Of  Capt.  Elliot,  already 
so  well  known  to  the  government,  it  Avoulil  be  almost  superfluous  to  speak.  In 
this  action  he  evinced  his  characteristic  liravery  and  judgment,  and  since  the 
close  of  the  action,  has  given  me  the  most  able  and  essential  assistance. 

I  have  the  honor  to  enclose  you  a  return  of  the  killed  and  wounded,  together 
Avith  a  statement  of  tlie  relative  force  of  the  squadrons.  The  (,'aptain  and  First 
Lieut,  of  tlio  QiK'en  Charlotte,  and  First  Lieut,  of  the  Detroit,  were  killed.  Capt. 
Barclay,  senior  officer,  and  the  commander  of  the  LadyPrevost,  severely  wound- 
o.d.  Their  loss  in  killed  and  wounded,  I  have  not  yet  been  able  to  ascertain ;  it 
riust,  however,  have  been  very  great. 

Very  resi)ectfully,  I  have  the  honor  to  be, 

Sir,  your  obedient  servant, 

O.  H.  PERRY. 
The  Hon.  Wm.  Jonks, 

Secretarv  of  the  Navv. 


nd  Hloo]),  from  the 
»  at  this  time  Iiav- 
onofCapt/EUiot, 
I  schooner  sun-en- 

servation,  evinced 
lucted  themselves 
first  of  the  Law- 
ck.    Midsliipmun 
were  of  great  as- 
'th  of  Lieutenant 
■rence,  and  Mid- 
^"s.     Mr.  nam- 
ely Avounded  late 
wrcuce,  wore  se- 
id  Edwards,  and 
in  a  very  hand- 
volunteer  in  the 
nd  brave  ofHccr, 
ommanding  the 
Pr,  and  is  an  of- 
ut-  Packet,  and 
"to  the  action, 
ms  of  Mr,  Ma- 
'lous  to  niy  gct- 
1  hiiH  rendered 
Elliot,  already 
^  to  S])eak.     In 
1  and  since  the 
ance. 

"dod,  together 
'tain  and  First 
skilled.  Capt. 
merely  wound- 
'  ascertain;  it 


r*jf: -,  ) 


■  i.   I  ,•   ' 


.>      i 


1       I 


PERKY. 


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